Historic Highway sceneJ
 
June 2010 
E-News
 
In This Issue:

--Help Plan the Historic Highway State Trail 

 
 --Get Involved in the Preservation of the Historic Columbia River Highway
 
 
--Know before you go. Summer Construction on I-84 and SR 14
 
 
 
--Visit the Troutdale Centennial Arch 
 
 
 
~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ ~  ~ 
 
"That we might have sense enough to do the right thing in the right way so as not to mar what God had put there." 
 
Samuel C. Lancaster
HCRH Engineer
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
 
 
Historic Columbia River Highway Facts
 
The Highway was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
The HCRH was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000.  It is the first state highway to receive this prestigious honor. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There are many one-of-a kind reinforced-concrete bridges along the HCRH. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multnomah Falls Lodge, on the HCRH, opened in 1925. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 

 

 
 WELCOME TO THE KING OF ROADS
 
 
The Historic Columbia River Highway Newsletter is your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail, a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.  
  
Hole In the Wall Falls
Horsetail Falls
The Historic Columbia River Highway is "The King of Roads"--a road through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.  Whether you are seeing it for the first time or you know every inch of it by heart, each time you experience the Historic Highway you begin the journey anew.
 
"The beauties of the Gorge of the Columbia can never be foregotten by any visitor."
 Samuel C. Lancaster
Get Involved in the Preservation of the Historic Columbia River Highway  
 
Join us at the next quarterly Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee meeting on June 24, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Mosier Terrace at 501 E. Second St. in Mosier.  The full meeting agenda can be viewed online.
 
The public is encouraged to attend.
 
Highlights of the meeting include:
  • Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Plan Overview
  • Mosier Triangle - Design Concepts
  • Update on OPRD's plans for Latourell and Mitchell Point Waysides
  • Funding Opportunities Discussion
  • Project Updates

 
The minutes from the March 29, 2010 meeting are available on line. Click for minutes.

For more information on the Advisory Committee, click here. 

To learn more, check out the Milepost 2016 Reconnection Strategy or watch a 9-minute video about this project. Click for video

Marc Barry      Marc Berry Reappointed to the HCRH    Advisory Committee  

Governor Kulongoski recently reappointed Marc Berry to another four-year term to the HCRH Advisory Committee.  Marc, the former Mayor of Mosier and an avid cyclist, represents Wasco County on the Advisory Committee.   
 
During his past four years on the committee Marc was actively involved in the 2016 Reconnection Project, developing a strategy to restore the Chenoweth Pit, and raising awareness and local support for the Advisory Committee's vision to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway.
 Ride the Highway 
 
Gorge Ride Logo
The fourth annual Gorge Ride sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway will be held Saturday, June 12, 2010, beginning at the Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, in The Dalles, Oregon. The ride will extend 19.25 (one way) miles west along the historic highway and State Trail to the Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead, just east of Hood River. 
 
Register TODAY online  or the day of the event at the Gorge Discovery Center. Last year's event drew over 400 cyclists and the numbers continue to grow each year as more and more enthusiastic riders tell others about the ride!
Historic Columbia River Highway                                       State Trail Plan In the Works
 

An exciting plan to lay out the last 11 miles of the proposed alignment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Wyeth and Hood River is under development.  Quatrefoil, Inc., a Portland based design firm, is helping Oregon Parks and Recreation, Oregon Department of Transportation, the USFS Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Hood River County develop a vision for the trail.  The plan will help us better understand the opportunities and constraints associated with the proposed 11-mile trail.  This will help us plan for and seek the needed funds to reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway as a World Class Adventure - the "King of Trails."  
 
Lindsey Creek Trail
Horsetail Falls
 
There will be two open house events where the public is invited to participate in the planning process, provide input and view the plan in progress. The open houses will be held this summer at the following locations: 

 
 
 
HOOD RIVER
Date: July 22, 2010
Location: County Commission Chambers, 601 State St., Hood River
Time: 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. 
 
PORTLAND
Date: August 24, 2010
Location: ODOT Region 1 Room A & B, 123 NW Flanders St., Portland
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
 
 Chenoweth Pit Closure and Restoration 
 Chenoweth Pit 

For years the Chenoweth Pit, otherwise known as the "shooting range pit," was seen as an eye sore. Located along the Historic Columbia River Highway near its eastern gateway, just west of The Dalles, this pit was used as target practice as well as a dump area.  Unfortunately, a shooting range and dump, along a National Scenic Byway--All American Road, was a visual blight.  Working closely with ODOT and Wasco County, the HCRH Advisory Committee developed a plan to close and visually restore the site through the use of vegetation and landscaping. The Chenoweth Pit has now been closed through the construction of a berm and fencing. Plans for revegetating the site are soon to follow. 
 
Troutdale Centennial Arch
 
The City of Troutdale, which provides a gateway to enter the Historic Highway from the west, has a new addition to its cityscape. A public-private team worked together to develop and fund a beautiful 60-foot arch that provides a gateway to Troutdale's historic downtown. Make sure to notice the bronzed salmon that sit upon basalt piers the next time you are driving through the city on your way to the Historic Highway.
 
 Horsetail Falls

Summer Construction on Interstate 84 and Washington SR 14

This summer there will be several construction projects happening on Interstate 84 and SR 14 in Washington.  For the latest information, check out www.tripcheck.com for Oregon and  WSDOT Construction.  Know before you go! 
REMEMBER
 
The Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) was the country's first scenic highway, constructed between 1913 and 1922.  It served millions of travelers and took advantage of the Columbia River Gorge's natural beauty to become one of our nation's grandest roads.  Less than 31 years later, construction of a water level route, now known as Interstate 84, obliterated many sections of the Historic Highway, leaving it disconnected and abandoned. 
 
 
RESTORE    
                                       
Today the remaining segments of the HCRH and State Trail receive over 2 million visitors per year.  Its attractions are Pacific Northwest icons.  The Historic Highway and State Trail is our portal to recreational opportunities connecting us with historic communities and sites in the Gorge.  The restored, drivable portions maintain their 1920s character and appearance. Eleven miles of State Trail have been constructed during the past 18 years.  However, the old highway remains disconnected.
RECONNECT                        
 
It took Samuel Hill and Samuel Lancaster only nine years to build 73 miles of highway between Portland and The Dalles.  Twelve challenging miles of new trail await reconnection in time for the highway's centennial in 2016.  This undertaking will require the support of local communities and trail advocates throughout Oregon. 
 
ODOT is seeking an earmark for $23 million through the surface transportation authorizing legislation to construct the Reconnection Strategy's top three priority projects including: the John Yeon State Park to Moffett Creek Trail Connection, a new tunnel at Mitchell Point and a trail connection between Lindsey Creek State Park and the Starvation Creek State Trailhead.   
 
Your Thoughts 
Tell us what you think of this update.  What would you like to see in future issues? 
 
Email Kristen
 
Share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues by clicking on the Forward email link below. 
Contact Info
Kristen Stallman, Historic Columbia River Highway Coordinator
ODOT Region 1
503-731-4957 
Photos
  All photos are from ODOT files.