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Bishops Cap
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The Historic Columbia River Highway News 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.
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Historic Highway Advisory Committee Meeting
The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet at the Bonneville Dam Auditorium (I-84, exit 40) on Tuesday, December 11 from 10 am - 3 pm. The meeting highlights include a yearly overview of the projects that have been completed on the Historic Highway and future projects; a geo-technical study on rock treatments; The Dalles scenic byway gateway sign; planning for the Historic Highway State Trail opening in 2013; and a wayfinding plan update. For more information contact Kristen Stallman.
To view the meeting agenda and read past meeting minutes please click here
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Mark your Calendars and Get Inspired!
The Architectural Heritage Center in Portland is hosting an art exhibit this December entitled "Gorge Inspirations." The exhibit will feature artists who have drawn their inspiration from the Columbia River Gorge.
 | | Entering the Gorge by Shawn Demarest |
Artists include: Stephanie Cissna, Shawn Demarest, David Greene, CJ Hurley, Brad Lorang, Dave Shelman, Heather Soderberg, Jean Thomas and Aaron Trotter. Additionally, Clarence Mershon's collection of historic photos depicting the construction of the Historic Highway will be on loan from the Rooster Rock State Park Office. Mark your calendars for the First Friday openings in December and for the following events at the Center:
Thursday December 6 - Gorge Stories for the Curious- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Gorge travel writer Scott Cook and Lewis and Clark Professor Stephanie Arnold will host a round table discussion on what makes the Gorge a fascinating place. Bring your curious questions and your own Gorge story.
Friday, December 7 - First Friday Art Exhibit Opening - 6:00 - 8:00 pm, hosted by Friends of Vista House and Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway. A great opportunity to meet the folks behind the preservation of Oregon's iconic structures and landscapes.
For more information, hours and locations check out the Architectural Heritage Center's website at www.visitahc.org.
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The Dalles Historic Highway Entrance Sign
The Historic Highway Advisory Committee is working with the landscape architechture firm, Walker Macy, to develop a sign to mark the east entrance to the Historic Columbia River Highway. This gateway monument and sign will identify the beginning of the National Scenic Byway. It will be located along the Historic Highway (Route 30) on the west end of The Dalles and adjacent to the Chenoweth Creek Bridge.
The design team and Advisory Committee have worked collaboratively to develop a preferred alternative
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Proposed HCRH eastern
entrance sign
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for the monument. It will be faced with stone that blends into the natural landscape. The monument is currently being engineered and will hopefully be constructed in 2013. This work was made possible from a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program.
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Crown Point Viaduct Project Update
The Historic Columbia River Highway, around Vista House, closed Sept. 4 . Crews are working on restoring the deteriorating viaduct and its support columns that encircle the building. This one-mile stretch of road is closed to all motorized vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. In addition, a section of the highway from Larch Mountain Road to Crown Point is closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet.
 This is the first phase of the project and the closure will last until Dec. 31. The Vista House will reopen to the public on Jan. 1, 2013, but will close again on April 1, 2013 for the second phase of the project.
Here is the updated closure schedule:
- Oct. 1 to Dec. 31: The Historic Highway from Larch Mountain Road to Latourell Falls will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles, including bicycles. The section from Latourell Falls to Bridal Veil Falls will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet. Vista House will be closed.
- Jan. 1 to April 1: Occasional lane closures with specific traffic restrictions yet to be determined. Vista House will be open on its winter schedule.
- April 1, 2013: Tentative start date for the final phase of the project, expected to be completed by late spring 2013. Periodic lane closures with specifics still to be determined. Vista House will be open.
For more information, go to the project website
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