In the May 2016issue:

Advisory Committeeto meet June 23rd,2016 in Hood River

It's the HistoricHighway's Centennialyear! Let's celebrate

Columbia GorgeExpress

Short‐term plan toaddress Gorgecongestion

New State Trailsegment is takingshape

Historic Highwayshort film screening inHood River

Gorge Hubs ‐ CascadeLocks

Improvement Projectson I‐84

Your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore andreconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail ‐ a world class adventurefrom Portland to The Dalles. 

Advisory Committee to meet June 23 in Hood River 

Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, June 23rd atthe Hood River Fire Station (1785 Meyer Parkway) between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.  

The meeting will include presentations on Historic Highway Trail Construction Updates,Columbia Gorge Express, Historic Columbia River Highway Collaborative Assessment'soutcomes, and review of upcoming Historic Columbia River Highway Centennialcelebrations. We will also be discussing upcoming funding opportunities through theFederal Lands Access Program.     

It's the Historic Highway's Centennial year! Let's celebrate.

We're gearing up for an exciting summer (and fall) of events for the Centennial. 

Upcoming events in June 2016

June 7 ‐ Pictorial Postmarks 9 a.m.‐3 p.m. (Multnomah Falls and Vista House)June 7 ‐ The Unveiling of Visionaries 3 p.m. (Troutdale)June 7 ‐ Springdale Children's Garden Stand 12‐3 p.m. (32405 E Historic ColumbiaRiver Highway)June 7 ‐ Crown Point Country Historical Society 1‐3 p.m. (36901 E HistoricColumbia River Highway)June 11 ‐ Grand Floral Parade 10 a.m.‐2 p.m. (Portland)June 11 ‐ Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) Action Day10 a.m.‐2 p.m. (Hood River)June 16 ‐ Film Screening: Reconnecting the Historic Columbia River Highway 6p.m. (Hood River)June 18 ‐ 10th Annual Gorge Ride 7 a.m.‐4 p.m. (The Dalles)June 18 ‐ Columbia River Highway Lecture with Peg Willis 2 p.m. (Maryhill Museum,WA)

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is sporting a banner to celebrate 100 years of the HistoricHighway.

The Historic Highway communities are showing their support for the Historic HighwayCentennial with banners you will find throughout the Gorge. 

2016 Columbia Gorge Express 

Your weekend trip to the Columbia River Gorge just got easier! This summer, take the newColumbia Gorge Express from Gateway Transit Center to Multnomah Falls every Friday,Saturday and Sunday through September 25. Sit back and enjoy the fun, easy ride to someof the best the Gorge has to offer for only $5 round trip. 

ODOT employees on the test ride for the new Columbia Gorge Express.

In addition, regular weekend bus service will transport visitors for free between anoverflow parking lot at Rooster Rock State Park and Multnomah Falls, helping you spendless time parking and more time relaxing. The route will take Interstate 84 and the traveltime from Gateway Transit Center to Multnomah Falls will be approximately 40 minutes.

See you this summer on the Express!

A short-term plan to address congestion along the Historic Highway 

The signing of the Declaration of Cooperation Signing Ceremony for the Historic ColumbiaRiver Highway Collaborative that was held at Multnomah Falls Lodge on Wednesday, May11. State Rep. Mark Johnson and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel amongmany other supporters participated in the ceremony. 

This project developed short‐term implementable solutions to address congestion alongthe Historic Highway. One of the outcomes is the Gorge's new, pilot transit service ‐ TheColumbia Gorge Express (see above). 

Representatives from various agencies gathered at Multnomah Falls to sign the Declaration ofCooperation to address short‐term solutions to congestion in the Gorge.

Lindsey Creek to Starvation Creek segment of State Trail taking shape

The section of State Trail from Lindsey Creek to Starvation Creek will be dedicated onSeptember 24, 2016. It's been exciting to see the trail take form and progress each week. 

This spring, the trees and vegetation were cleared and the groundwork is taking shape.The design and construction team have been working diligently to confirm the final details

The view of Vista House from Portland Women's Forum,makes it clear why there are so many visitors to the

Columbia River Gorge. 

such as the concrete color for Warren Creek Bridge. During the last week of May, theabutment walls for Warren Creek Bridge were poured and the masons are working oninstalling the rock wall feature by Hole in the Wall Falls.

The masons working on the wall near Wonder Creek.

Historic Highway short film screening in Hood River, June 16

On Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 6p.m., a short film on the statusof the Historic Columbia RiverHighway & State Trail will beshown at the Columbia GorgeHotel (4000 Westcliff Drive,Hood River). 

The Hood River Chamber will behosting the screening of this 15‐minute film about thereconnection of the HistoricColumbia River Highway & StateTrail. This event is free andopen to the public. 

This film screening will givecommunity members anopportunity to learn more aboutefforts to reconnect the

abandoned highway with a trail and to discuss Historic Highway State Trail reconnectionprojects with the Oregon Transportation Commission, project staff and Historic HighwayAdvisory Committee members. Please RSVP for this free event.

The Gorge Hubs - Cascade Locks

The Gorge Hubs Working Group has been gaining momentum and great things arehappening! The City of Cascade Locks installed their bike fix‐it station and celebrated witha ribbon cutting event. A fix‐it station was also installed in The Dalles and Hood River. 

The ribbon cutting event in Cascade Locks was a fun event; Working Group members are excitedto see the Hub used by summer bike travelers. 

 

I-84 improvements now under construction 

Construction is now underway on I‐84, including nighttime paving that will start the firstweek of June from Troutdale to Multnomah Falls and Cascade Locks to Hood River. Tolearn more about the projects, visit www.I84Construction.org or visit www.TripCheck.comfor real‐time traffic conditions. 

Under Construction! Paving Sandy River to Multnomah Falls: June ‐ Oct. 2016*Under Construction! Tanner Creek Bridge Repair at Bonneville Dam: Feb. ‐ Jul. 2016*

Under Construction! Paving Cascade Locks to Hood River: June ‐ Sep. 2016*Under Construction! Extending the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail:Feb. ‐ June 2016; Sep. 24, 2016 trail opening*Hood River Rockfall Repair: Sep. 2016 ‐ May 2017*Mosier to The Dalles Paving & Median Barrier Replacement: June ‐ Sep. 2016*Paving and Bridge Construction in The Dalles: Feb. 2015 ‐ June 2016*

* Schedule is subject to change due to weather and site conditions 

Help spread the word!

Share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues by clicking on the "Forward thisemail" link below. Tell us what you think of this update.  What would you like to see in future issues? Join the mailing list to stay up‐to‐date on what is happening. Names are not shared. Read more about the Historic Columbia River Highway, on ODOT's website. We encourage you to "follow" the Historic Highway on Twitter andInstagram @hcrhighway and "like" the Historic Highway on Facebook www.facebook.com/HCRH100th.  Share your stories and pictures of the HistoricHighway using hashtag #Route30

Contact  

Kristen Stallman, Historic Columbia River Highway CoordinatorOregon Department of Transportation, Region 1503‐731‐4957   Kristen.Stallman@odot.state.or.us