is a highlight of the State Trail.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced that a newly paved section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail will officially open to the public on October 31st. But there are two ways you can get a sneak preview and earn bragging rights as one of the first people to ever ride across this exciting new path segment.
ODOT and the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department are hosting a special dedication ceremony for the new section of path on September 14th. The event is part of three days of “Historic Highway Revived” festivities based in the small town of Cascade Locks. Why Cascade Locks? Well, the small town of about 1,150 people is about to see a bicycle tourism boom. Once the State Trail officially opens, people will be able to ride from Troutdale to Cascade Locks without making one pedal stroke on the busy, noisy, and dangerous shoulder of Interstate 84. It’s 27 miles of cycling bliss on winding, tree-covered, scenic roads — many miles of which are completely carfree.
Last month, a select group of lawmakers, politicians, and advocates got a sneak peek at the new, 1.6 mile section of path between John B. Yeon State Park and Moffett Creek that makes this exciting new connection possible.
The dedication ceremony is at 11:00 am on Saturday (9/14) at the McCord Creek Bridge. For more info check out HighwayRevived.com.
If the pomp and circumstance of an official ceremony isn’t your cup of tea, another option is the Cascade to Crown Bike Ride on Sunday, September 15th. ODOT says they’ll keep the path open as a special nod to that ride, but will close it again and continue construction activity through October.
We can’t wait for this path to be open for good. The ability to ride from Portland, out to Marine Drive, east to Troutdale, and then all the way to Cascade Locks without riding on I-84, is a major milestone for bicycling in our region.