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Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee Meeting

Meeting will take place via WebEx Webinar Meeting number (access code): 966 935 754

Meeting password: May2020 Join by phone: 408-418-9388

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Begin call/sign-in testing for video and audio connections 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENDA: Time Agenda Topics Presenter 1:00 PM Call to Order Arthur Babitz, Chair 1:05 PM Opportunity for the public to comment on any item

not on the agenda*

1:10 PM Approval Minutes Arthur Babitz, Chair

1:15 PM Cascade/30 Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) student project

Portland State University (PSU) Students

1:35 PM Columbia Gorge Express Report Card Valerie Egon, ODOT

1:45 PM Mitchell Point Tunnel Design update John Horne, WSP

2:00 PM Viento to Mitchell Point Design update Kevin Bracy, DEA

2:15 PM Oneonta Tunnel Rehabilitation Molly Davis, DEA

2:30 PM Congestion Discussion Wayne Stewart

2:45 PM Updates • Friends of the Historic Columbia River

Highway • ODOT • OPRD • Travel Oregon • USFS • WFLHD

Various

2:55 PM Committee Round Table All 3:00 PM Adjourn

Public comment will be accepted prior to the meeting and during the meeting itself. *If possible, please contact Kerrie Franey at [email protected] or 503-731-3359 to indicate that you’d like to provide public comment during the meeting, and we will do our best to call on you during the public comment period.

https://oregondot.webex.com/oregondot/j.php?MTID=mb92a5d082567777beabff5d985196de2

mailto:[email protected]

If you’d like to share your testimony, please submit written testimony via email to [email protected], phone 503-731-3359, or regular mail 123 NW Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209. Comments received after the meeting will be shared with committee members.

June Agenda items (if travel and meeting restrictions allow)

- Troutdale Bridge walkway site visit - Funding strategy for Segments G and H (Mitchell Point Tunnel to Hood River)

Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee

2020 Work Plan

1. The Final Five Miles Engineering – in process 2. Mitchell Point to Hood River State Trail funding 3. Multnomah Falls Viaducts Railroad Coordination – in process 4. Columbia Gorge Express –Year 4 5. Eagle Creek Stairway Replacement 6. Congestion and Safety Plan Implementation Projects 7. Gorge Commission Management Plan Update 8. Historic Guardrail Research/Analysis and speed zone analysis 9. Twin Tunnels Safety Improvements Implementation 10. Larch Mountain Slide – Funding

Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

December 12, 2019 Corbett, OR

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Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee Meeting Summary

December 12, 2019

Corbett Fire Hall

Corbett, OR

Members Attending: Arthur Babitz, Chair Wayne Stewart, Co-chair William Pattison Judy Davis Ernie Drapela Francie Royce Rian Windsheimer (ODOT) Kristin Dahl (Travel Oregon) Art Carrol Marc Berry

HCRH AC Staff: Terra Lingley (ODOT) Katelyn Jackson (ODOT)

Others Attending: (33) Richard Alfieri Magnus Bernhardt (ODOT) Kevin Bracy (DEA) Shana Bucher Molly Davis (DEA) Ben Carscallen Neal Christensen (FHWA) Bonnie Clark Nathan Clark (Multnomah County) Kaylee Crosby Valerie Egon (ODOT) Ilia Fiene (USFS) Patricia Fink (CAT) Kathy Fitzpatrick (MCEDD) Kathy Freund Malcom Freund Dawn Gilkison Kevin Gorman (Friends of the Gorge) Morai Helfen (USFS) John Horne (WSP) Jason Kelly (ODOT) Lizzie Keenan (Hood-Gorge RDMO) Jeanette Kloos (FHCRH) Skyler Lanning



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Call to Order Arthur Babitz, Chair, called the meeting to order and invited the public to comment on items not on the agenda.

Welcome Public Comment Ben Carscallen commented that there is a section of Historic Highway near Shepherd’s Dell where only three remaining guard rocks remain on a section. Additionally, the east approach to the Bridal Veil Bridge seems like the road is beginning to slide. He said there’s an opportunity to replace a guardrail with guard rocks as restoration. Terra noted the bridge is in the draft 2021-24 STIP list.

Beatriz Parga, Bridal Veil Lodge noted that this summer, herbicide was used along old highway. Some of the drain areas are being hit by the herbicide. She requests better control of sprays and noxious weeds along the old highway. Residue kindling is left along the highway, and is concerned that dead weeds and improper cigarette disposal could create safety issues. She would like to see less or no herbicide use on the old highway, especially on the drain areas, and more mowing. She said native plants are being affected by herbicide.

Figure 1: Photo of dead foliage along Historic Highway Provided by Beatriz at Bridal Veil Lodge

Matthew Miller (FHWA) Jennifer O’Donnell Beatriz Parga Megan Ramey Emily Reed (CGTA) Van Smith Dick Weber (FHCRH) AJ Zelada (FHCRH) Brandon Ziemba



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She also suggested that Yellowstone and other National Parks have rerouted how people enter parks. She provided a copy of an article published online here: https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2019/03/27/giant-steps/

Beatriz would like to see more coordination with property owners along the old highway. They have first-hand knowledge of how people use and enter the roadway. She noted how Latourell Loop puts pedestrians on the highway to cross and encourage the Committee to look at replacing the historic footbridge – see photo below.

Figure 2: Beatriz shared this photo of Latourell Pedestrian Bridge

Megan Ramey: Representing the Streets Project in Hood River. Megan provided a handout with draft recommendations based on the September 2019 meeting. Details include transit stops, vehicular restriction in Waterfall Alley for non-residential vehicles, and a Gorge Towns Corridor Master Plan to coordinate transportation plan initiatives. Handout is attached at the end of this summary.

Approval of Minutes Arthur asked for edits or additions to minutes. Francie asked for clarification on the top of page 5, related to the Viento on- and off-ramps.

The Committee approved the minutes with clarification of the Viento reference.

https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2019/03/27/giant-steps/



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The Future of Transit in the Gorge Patty Fink, Columbia Area Transit (CAT) CAT has assumed ownership for the inter-city portion of the Columbia Gorge Express with eight trips on weekdays and six trips on the weekends.

Ernie asked about passenger capacity. Patty responded that 55 passengers can be carried without wheelchairs, or 50 seats with two wheelchairs.

CAT is interested in more trips and opportunities between Hood River County, The Dalles and Portland. CAT sees the Columbia Gorge Express as the backbone of a large vision for transit access throughout the Gorge. There is an opportunity for CAT to coordinate and serve the Waterfall Alley and the Washington side of the Gorge, including Dog Mountain and White Salmon. They are actively working with The Dalles.

CAT has 18 months to spend grant funds from the Statewide Transit Improvement Fund (STIF) to ensure the backbone of the vision is sustainable – that the amount of service on the Columbia Gorge Express has ridership and ongoing level of revenue.

CAT plans to engage the Portland/Vancouver Market as a way to plan for continuing growth by selling a Gorge annual Pass that could be paired with monthly discounts. This concept is expected to be approved by the board in December. CAT would need to sell a minimum of 5,000 passes to be successful. They anticipate 2,000 plus passes “sold” as they approach launch through private employers. If they sold 30,000 passes, it would pay for two years of service.

Rian: He expressed excitement about connecting people to the economies and businesses. He noted that we are not building more lanes on I-84 so getting more people out of their cars is a good thing. He encouraged conversations with TriMet and coordination with Hop Pass to streamline ticket purchasing.

Francie noted that the passes being available online would be ideal and may gain more digital traction.

Kristin said to please consider Travel Oregon as a partner. She asked if CAT completed a willingness to pay study.

Patty responded that there will be a raise eventually, but now the goal is the quantity of users. Patty said she wants to make sure the low-income residents in the Gorge have access first.

Kathy Fitzpatrick – MCEDD GorgeTranslink.com provides an overview of the Gorge transit providers with schedules and routes all presented similarly for a comprehensive understanding of Transit in the Gorge.

Bus shelters should be coming soon throughout the Gorge.

Kathy said in the past two years have shown enormous growth for transit in the Gorge.

The upcoming Gorge Regional Transit Strategy will take the localized plans and synthesize them, identifying common goals and challenges. She encourages a holistic view of the Gorge and said this plan does that. They have support from ODOT, and WSDOT just brought funds to the table for Phase 2 of work. Transit has infrastructure and functional meetings – it goes beyond putting transit stops on a map.



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Transit is the most important tool in the toolbox for addressing congestion in the Gorge. The transit-sub committee will help facilitate these conversations.

Question: Bikes on buses? Kathy: Yes, buses do have capacity for bikes. Patty: the buses for CAT do not fit in the parking stalls at Gateway when pulling the bike trailer, so they are pursuing relocating the stop at Gateway so a bike trailer and bus will fit. Currently, CAT buses allow bikes underneath on the larger buses. The smaller buses have a rack on the front.

Valerie Egon - Columbia Gorge Express ODOT is continuing to manage the summer shuttle in 2020 and 2021 between Rooster Rock and Multnomah Falls. The Columbia Gorge Express expanded from its pilot season in 2016. CGE launched a study to evaluate the first four years of service and next steps in implementing improvements. Valerie plans to share the results of the studies with the Committee in spring/summer 2020.

Congestion Forum Update The Forum Nathan Clark, staff for Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann provided background on the Congestion Forum as a continuation of the project leadership team from the Congestion and Safety planning process. The Forum fosters continued coordination between affected agencies and communities to improve safety, reduce vehicular congestion, and enhance visitor experience in the Historic Highway corridor for all transportation modes.

Beatriz: What are the considerations when we talk about safety and access with search and rescue and the Corbett Fire group? Have you incorporated with this group the inability to access these areas to congestion or closures of the highway, or increased bicycles and pedestrians?

Nathan: The sheriff’s office is a close partner for those organizations and has been an active voice. He lifts those concerns up as well.

Beatriz: I think one of the main concerns we have as residents and business is if the access will be readily available. We have had incidents where emergency services were delayed due to vehicles blocking the road. We want to make sure that is a good, strong focus.

Patty: County staff asked CAT if they were willing to stop at the Corbett interchange overpass. Patty said we are willing to do what they can safely and want to continue to serve small communities. Access for buses makes it much easier to stop if the infrastructure is safe.

AJ: Multnomah County really went to bat last summer to retain the East County deputy position. It shows how the inter-agency coordination is so important.

Nathan said Multnomah County is aware of the importance of the position and are looking at the future of additional enforcement here and it is a priority.

Beatriz: Hood River County notified enforcement would be decreased in their County. Has there been a conversation with OSP to expand coverage in Hood River County?



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Arthur: There hasn’t been a budgetary reduction, but increase in cost. The Sheriff’s office released a notice of decreased coverage due to the inability to hire and retain deputies.

Agency Gorge Transit Concept Terra: Agency Gorge Concept is a draft plan to make changes to the Historic Highway and I-84 to reduce congestion. There are four focus areas in the concept, with various ideas on how to address. The concept is very high level, and partners are working to flesh out the details and work towards our shared goals.

Congestion on the Historic Highway This concept removes informal parking, and formal parking would be managed via permit reservation system regulated to ensure turnover and reduce the amount of people waiting to park. This allows continued driving on the highway, but limits parking to permits. For those who do not have parking permits/reservations, access is maintained via additional parking lots and a Historic Highway shuttle.

The Congestion and Safety Plan identified that vehicles waiting for too few parking spots, not the volume of vehicles on the Historic Highway that cause congestion.

Safety on I-84 at Exit 31 To reduce safety concerns at Exit 31, the concept would close the current parking to private vehicles, shifting the parking lot to Exit 35. Visitors would then use a “branded” Multnomah Falls shuttle and would have a range of private and public transit options to get to the Falls on either I-84 or the Historic Highway. Those who still want to drive private vehicles to Multnomah Falls would have the option of parking at Benson Lake and walking on a to-be-developed path (0.8 miles) from the parking lot to the Falls.

Beatriz: There is active spawning in the area.

Rian: This would go through the full process and take a lot of time to think about before pursuing.

Jeanette: Where would ADA accessible parking be? Terra: to be determined, or at the Historic Highway lot adjacent to the Railroad.

Reduce Negative Impacts on Existing Parks Additional traffic caused closures of Rooster Rock this summer. Reduce impacts to Rooster Rock so visitors can also use the park.

Beatriz: Concerned about potential back up at Benson Lake due to high demand of use. Terra: We have the information about Benson Lake use and capacity, and are working closely with OPRD to ensure the impacts could be managed.

Terra: There is also an impact to restroom facilities at specific places along the Historic Highway with the high visitation. The concept could add restrooms could reduce the pressure on existing facilities. This includes creating a Gateway to the Gorge so people can get what they need, perhaps even outside of the scenic area, and reduce vehicles entering the Gorge. Would allow people to buy passes, parking reservations, get information, learn about the Gorge, enforce the stewardship messaging, etc.



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Provide travel options Provide hubs and transfer points

Columbia Gorge Express (I-84), versus the Explorer (Historic Highway) and a dedicated Multnomah Falls shuttle.

Continuation of Congestion Vision Discussion Wayne: In September, Wayne proposed a short-time pilot idea. Key issues from Committee members mentioned: the need for a shuttle system on the highway, feasibility to limit access, concerns of a reservation system on a public highway, removing parking completely to create a drive-through adventure.

The Forum concept Terra just presented was not available in September.

Advisory Committee goals: Visitor experience and protection of natural and cultural resources.

Wayne: I feel we need to go to a system where we have transit only on the Historic Highway. Transit stops would include Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls and Ainsworth.

Wayne proposed that the Historic Highway would be open to all prior to 9 a.m. and post 5 p.m. Wayne is pleased with the similarities of the Agency Gorge Concept, but notes a key difference of allowing cars. Do we go car-centric or transit oriented?

Arthur: It feels too early for us to make a specific motion. My suggestion would be to continue tabling the motion and have a conceptual conversation.

Art – Identify Commonalities of the concepts – buy off on the common items. Get agreement on the items that are similar, continue discussion on where they diverge

Commonalities Providing shuttles on the Historic Highway on a high frequency to give visitors options.

Wayne’s concept – only option is shuttle for those wishing to visit during peak hours/times.

Forum – control parking, but still allow through driving

Discussion Arthur – Not sure if the parking metering will work, not sure if the closure will work. What tests/pilots/trials could we implement to understand what will work and what won’t?

Judy – pleased to see transit topic addressed. There are lots of places/examples of where cars are not allowed. Where are there other places where the parking is controlled, where you can drive but not stop?

Rian – wants to stay true to the purpose of the Highway – continue to provide driving experience for visitors, and this is worth discussing. For both concepts it is important to limit parking friction. Purely roadway perspective – it is not the cars, it’s the friction points that generates congestion. Wayne’s



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concept allows for multi-modal options. The Forum idea could be interim to move towards Wayne’s ideas. What are our values, how do we inform them?

Judy – Continuing CGE on I-84 is common to both options – modifying exit 31 to transit only.

Ernie – both concepts have merit. Both require a lot of thinking/fleshing out. Need a special meeting, devote to digging into concepts, create a comparable approach. Kristin shared a summary from the Oregon Solutions process in May 2016. The longer we delay, the worse the congestion is getting. Need to get out in front of issue.

Arthur – do we have enough detail in what we have now, or do you need more staff work before engaging?

Kristin – Forum – when considering shuttle, how are bikes and pedestrians accommodated in the concept?

Terra – not really addressed – likely same as today, but we can devote more time/effort to fleshing that out in the Forum concept.

Kristin – Would like to see the multi-modal aspects. Likes Megan’s one way – bike separated facility. Would like to recommend the environmental design principles with what we create. Concerns with environmental issues with a path along salmonid environment and creating new impervious surface at Ainsworth Parking lot.

Rian – Forum – leadership group from Congestion Study – informed by existing constraints. Wanted a visioning exercise that isn’t constrained by existing policies. Every agency has constraints. We were visioning and working backward. Environmental considerations will be worked in. The Advisory Committee informs the Congestion Forum group. Need the right players at the table, including the Advisory Committee. US Forest Service, Lodge, tourism considerations. How do we make it better with fewer impacts? Talk about trade-offs, transparent conversation. Are these ideas worth exploring further? Consider other issues besides just congestion. ADA? Environment?

Comfortable talking about pilot, other changes to the Historic Highway.

Kristin – supports permitting/paying for parking, limiting parking to formal locations.

Wayne – concerns with implementing parking permits. Issues with one-stop, multiple visits, how to enforce. What happens to people if they want to “By goodness” stop at the waterfall.

Arthur – need some pilot/testing/case studies. Would issuing permits at certain locations.

Kristin – good examples elsewhere– Muir Woods example from Susan Law at FHWA. Look at and draw from best practices.

Arthur – need some research – someone else must have already done something similar.



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Rian – each of the land management agencies need to address the demand for parking at specific parking lots. Need more research, pilot proposals.

Patty – Do you want people to be in certain spots? Need larger lots in areas that can accommodate places where there is a “there there.” Enforce the economic development goals of adjacent communities. Cascade Locks example – bring visitors in to the community to then drop off and spend money.

Shana - Concerns with putting a parking lot near Warrendale/Dodson – the overflow parking, other issues. Backups on roadway, houseless people, other nuisances. Real concerns with the safety. Keep in mind the residents.

Kevin – Challenges around the recreational intensity classes – disconnect at Ainsworth. Geological Hazard areas – barriers to the parking lot at Ainsworth.

Beatriz – Bridal Veil – lack of communication for visitors. Disconnect between visitors and communication. Need a hub, educate visitors, experience and knowledge for folks to reduce confusion/issues. Provide information on congestion, travel options. Need a way to reach folks coming in for the day. Need more enforcement. Bicycles on the roadway – concern with conflicts between vehicles/cyclists. There are driveways, horses, businesses, residents. All this impacts these uses.

Arthur – With any of these pilot projects, the challenge is to get the information out to visitors/tourists.

Patty – Hotels may buy a pass to visitors to get out to the Gorge from PDX. Lots of messaging overlap.

Kristin – communications collaborative – Ready, Set, GOrge! Active communications for visitors, training staff, share information. Transit, other options. Need to be nimble in the messaging, but we only catch the people who stop at the visitor center.

Beatriz – GATEWAY – one-stop-shop with all the visitors who want to travel.

Morai – U.S. Forest Service – Historic Highway exists within the larger Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – balance context, protect resources important to the Gorge. Federal lands – regulatory issues to get parking permitting. Takes a long time, changing policy. Recreational Intensity Class issues regulating parking allowances.

Ernie – As we distribute parking locations, we also distribute security issues. Car prowls, break-ins, other issues. All of these negatively impact the visitor experience.

Francie – Talk about limiting travel between 9 am and 5 pm. This is the one proposal that makes sense to limiting vehicles on the Highway. Limiting parking doesn’t reduce the number of cars on the highway. For cyclists – Megan’s example of different designs, how to accommodate other users, reduce conflicts between vehicles and cyclists. Will draw more cyclists, including on the segments shared with vehicles. How will the parking permitting concept address through cyclists.

Art – we want to explore the parking in the agency Forum. How do we work on that at Ainsworth? NSA reviews? What is the timing for the Women’s Forum parking expansion? Some issues will require a long-



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term process to approve and implement. Can we conclude that we need to consider parking at Ainsworth?

Are we supportive of controlling parking along the corridor?

Are we supportive of controlling vehicles along the corridor?

Art –what time of the year, and what year do you control vehicles along the road?

Rian – could we restrict the Highway to one-way? Some items are dependent upon other things happening. We may need to close exit 31 in the near future for safety issues/concerns, but we need to include other projects to reduce impacts associated with that. This discussion informs the Congestion Forum, and then need additional outreach to move things forward. Need a community/stakeholder discussion. Need to pull in people who haven’t yet been part of the conversation. Could test some things in 2020, but not able to move the larger issues in the next year, especially if it is a policy/law change.

Ben – how do the bikes/shuttles interact.

Aspects the Advisory Committee Agrees Upon • Transit is the core solution on both I-84 and the Historic Highway • ADA accommodations are key – make sure people of all abilities can access the Waterfall

Corridor • Restrooms and multimodal hubs are important to the concept

Questions to resolve/include • Uber/Lyft options? Waiting/cell lots? • Control vehicles on the Historic Highway? • Multi-modal options on the Historic Highway – how bikes and pedestrians are accommodated • WHEN?!?! How to pay for? • Pilots soon. • How to accommodate cyclists on the parking restriction concept? • Ainsworth parking hub concept – impacts on residents/SNCRs/Geologic Hazard zone

2020 Workplan Terra recommended switching the June meeting to Troutdale and the December meeting to The Dalles to be able to do a site visit on the newly completed Troutdale Bridge walkway. The committee agreed that this was good idea.

Staff updates Terra, Coordinator Wind Mountain Overlook completion late 2019 or early 2020 – funds from Friends of the HCRH, Portland Bicycling Club, OPRD.

Length restrictions and speed reduction on the Highway in spring 2020.

Kent is working on railing repair and winter ops.



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Keep March meeting date, though it overlaps with Oregon’s Spring Break.

Projects Matt Miller thanked Mike Odom for his service and dedication to the Historic Highway projects.

FHWA identified a shortfall in funding identified for Mitchell Point and identified constructing Viento to Mitchell as a backup project if needed. ODOT identifying funding would keep Mitchell Point Tunnel on track for bid in 2020, construction start in 2021.

Neal Christensen – Oregon FLAP program manager added that WFLHD is trying to come to a good solution that works for everybody. Previously, the agency was able to loan between programs, and that is not an option this year.

FHWA funding shortage. ODOT may be able to close the gap to keep Mitchell Point Tunnel on schedule.

Mitchell Point Crossing – John Horne, WSP Lighting Study Update John provided a table of lighting in other multi-use path tunnels, including tunnels of significant length without lighting. The team concluded about 90% of rural, multi-use path tunnels are unlit.

John provided a simulation of curb lighting at portals. It provides more of a delineation the curves of the tunnel than lighting or the surface. If there is a desire to illuminate the tunnel, overhead lights would be the preferred alternative. Natural light alone is sufficient for human visions to transition from outside to inside the tunnel at 10 MPH.

Conclusion – the team recommends no artificial lighting in the tunnel.

95% Design Update Refined visualizations of tunnel portals – changed the design to make it harder for kids to climb.

Procurement Schedule 100% submittal to WFHD in July.

Early 2021 construction notice to proceed.

Completion scheduled for July 2022.

Viento to Mitchell Point design – Kevin Bracy, DEA This project will be developed in phases, but one complete set of plans.

• Base Option: The western mile of trail, including Viento Park and Campground • Option X: Large rockfall mitigation sections • Option Y: Finish the trail, and the Perham and Mitchell Creek Bridges

Completing 70% plans.

NSA permit drafted in December with final anticipated in January.



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Segments G&H Design – Kevin NEPA completion in December.

FHWA completes SHPO Consultation, Section 4(f) and Consistency Determination with USFS in March 2020.

June 2020 application to the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Grant Application.

Oneonta Tunnel Restoration – Molly Davis, DEA October 2019 90% package submitted.

Previously expressed concerns about the amount of scaling as part of this work. ODOT is accelerating scaling for a substantial section of scaling higher above the tunnel. The tunnel work will include other areas for scaling.

Wayne: Coordination with the railroad?

Terra: Yes, the section we are planning to do has potential to impact the railroad. We are waiting on a permit from UPRR to complete work. If we cannot complete work by the end of February, we must wait until the fall to reduce impacts to endemic plant species and other sensitive species.

WFLHD is planning construction to begin in September 2020.

Multnomah Falls Viaducts – Kevin Goal: restore the viaducts to their original carrying capacity, reduce maintenance for 50 years, and retain original historic appearance.

The team submitted plans to UPRR for structural review. Then, plans go to signal review and are estimated to be complete in June 2020. October 2020 anticipated final review from UPRR. The next step is to enter in to an agreement with UPRR to be complete by December 2021.

Multnomah County requires a Geologic Hazards Permit, but not a full NSA permit.

Currently, only the west viaduct has construction funding. Anticipated construction September 2022 through May 2025.

Agency updates Jeanette Kloos, Friends of the Columbia River Highway The Wind Mountain Overlook plaque has been manufactured. The stone work is coming along. The seat stone will be about 12,000 pounds and will sit on two basalt stones.

Friends will be donating funds to close gap in barrier near Lindsey Creek.

Gorge Ride: June 13, 2020

Antique Car Ride July 11, 2020

Kristin Dahl, Travel Oregon Medium competitive grants ($20-100k) opens early April



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Travel Oregon launched a Yeti and Squatch campaign to encourage off-season visitation.

Morai, U.S. Forest Service Multnomah Falls visitation is slowing down.

Recreation management plan is moving forward.

WFL the next call for FLAP will be 2021.

Committee Round Table Ernie – the stone mason at Wind Mountain Overlook is an artist. We should be thankful for this project. Many ask Ernie about the Eagle Creek Staircase. Terra: we have more work to do. We need about $7 million and hope to apply for FLAP in 2021. Terra will send the committee a summary of the discussion from the June meeting.

Bill: The staircase is maybe the most prominent question we get.

The meeting adjourned at 2 pm.

Public Comment received prior to May 19, 2020 Email from Susan Froehlich (Received April 27, 2020):

Hello Terra,

First of all, I hope that this finds you well and safe. I understand that upheaval that many of us are experiencing.

I am curious - is it possible to get minutes of the Dec meeting? It might not, as you all have not met due to COv 19/SARS -2 cancellations, but I thought that I would ask..

Could I be put on the list to be informed of when the committee will meet again? I would like to attend.

I would also like to be put on the agenda, to present a solution for the safe crossing of Mosier Creek Bridge. As the congestion in Mosier continues to grow, many people (often visitors) have to walk across the bridge to access the trailhead of the Mosier Plateau and Pioneer Cemetery. It is presently not safe. The walkways are painted at aprx. 3’, which is less than the recommended 5’.

I would like to speak with this Advisory Committee about this safety issue and a solution that would be pivotal in many aspects. As a resident of Mosier, I walk across that bridge often and I never feel safe when a vehicle is passing at the same time - I usually stand up on the curb. I would like to go across the bridge without the potential of being hit by a vehicle or a cyclist. Cars/cyclist move fast as they come down the hill (east to west). This needs to be addressed differently than just asking them to slow down.

This idea has support from the City Manager of Mosier, as well as from the Transportation Plan that was adopted within the last year. It has approval, just no $$ yet. I , however, would like to get it completed with grants/funding/etc, before someone is hurt. Sooner than later. There are many many stakeholders in this area and I am willing to work to get this completed. I am starting with you as an advisory committee to ODot and ORPR. I will work alongside whomever to get this project going.

Thank you Terra. If you have any ideas of whom I might also contact at the same time, please let me know. I look forward to meeting you and the rest of the advisory committee.

Thank you.

In health,

Susan Froehlich, LAc

Columbia River Acupuncture, LLC

PO Box 312

Mosier, OR. 97040

Introduction The Portland State University Master in Urban and Regional Planning program involves a two-termcapstone project working with an external client on a planning project. ODOT is sponsoring thisproject engaged Apiary Planning Group, a student-led organization created for the purpose ofcompleting the capstone project and is comprised of six students who will graduate in June and briefdescription of each student is included in this packet. The project we are working on is called Cascade30–a name that reflects this road is both U. S. Highway 30 and a city street.

Project Purpose Tourism and general population growth have increased rapidly in the Hood River area with the City ofHood River and nearby Columbia Gorge attractions becoming one of Oregon’s most populardestinations. The region has become a new home for many new residents and with more tourists everyyear congestion increases on the limited road network. As a result of this growth and Hood River’sgeographical restrictions, agencies need to think about streets and highways including those ownedand operated by ODOT within city limits. Another challenge in the next few years is the completion ofthe last link in the 73-mile long Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from Portland to TheDalles and running through the heart of Hood River, adding more bike and pedestrian traffic in thewestern end of Hood River. To maintain transportation safety and reliability, all modes should beconsidered and improving connectivity between areas and transportation modes, including transit iscritical. Our team is working with the ODOT to develop street design concepts from the west end ofWestcliff Drive, across I-84 at Exit 62 and then along U.S. Highway 30, (Cascade Avenue) in Hood Riverfrom exit 62 to 13th Avenue in Hood River. This is the route of the Historic Columbia River Highway,infrastructure that is now considered a landmark. In addition, the Cascade 30 team is assessing thewest end of historic east/west state route in order to increase its value as a cultural asset whileaccommodating new forms of transportation.

Why Did ODOT Engage Apiary Planning Group?Apiary Planning Group’s purpose is to provide ODOT with policy, planning, and conceptual designconsultation and to assess ways to increase its value as a cultural asset while accommodating newforms of transportation and one of our goals is to enhance and pay tribute to Cascade Avenue’s historicappearance while meeting future transportation needs. Recommendations will include considerationsfor bike and pedestrian safety, tourism, as well as goods delivery and freight. Apiary Planning Groupwill develop conceptual designs a public engagement plan and summary and recommendations forpolicy and next steps to move more than a decade of planning work to implementation and adoption.The final product will provide the ideas, research, and arguments ODOT and the City need to continuea multi-phased process. Our designs look to connect with future bike and pedestrian infrastructurecoming from west of Hood River as part of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Importantparts of the Cascade 30 project between now and June is engaging community members for input ondesign concepts and ideas. This involves meeting with the Historic Highway Advisory Committee andstakeholder interviews. Apiary Planning Group looks forward to bringing their varied skills andexperience to this project, working with the Committee and receiving input from members.

C A S C A D E 3 0

J u s t i n S h e r r i l lJustin was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, where he first gained an appreciation forhow Oregon cities strike a unique balance between preserving valuable greenspace andproviding multimodal transportation options. He earned his BA in Art History from theUniversity of Oregon before moving to Portland, where he first got his start in urbanplanning as a Marketing & Media intern with Oregon Metro. Justin has since worked intechnical roles with the City of Redmond, Washington’s transportation planningdepartment, King County Metro, and currently works as an analyst for ECONorthwest. Heenjoys cooking, programming, and swimming in Oregon’s rivers and lakes.

J e f f B r o d e r i c kJeff is a native Oregonian who spends much of his free time in the Gorge enjoying all theregion has to offer. Before returning to school, Jeff was a corporate recruiter and beforethat worked for Amtrak. He also has been and continues to be involved with local andregional transportation advocacy efforts. His focus in school has been transportation andeconomic development and he previously earned his graduate certificate in transportationfrom PSU in 2014. After graduation, Jeff would like to work on restoring passenger railservice through the Gorge and on to NE Oregon, Boise and beyond.

C A S C A D E 3 0c o n s u l t a n t t e a m

T i m D u b o i s

S e t h H e a l y

H e n r y M i l l e r

E l i s h a R a n s o m

An 18 year veteran of carpentry, a father of two young boys, and an enthusiastic urbanist,Tim is excited to be entering a new profession and phase of his life. Tim has focused onland use and real estate development and is passionate about policy solutions. In addition,Tim is an avid fan of maps and all the stories they can tell. Combining all his loves, Tim isnow a candidate for Portland City Council in the upcoming elections.

Hailing from southern Oregon, Seth received his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies –East Asian Studies from Portland State University. Prior to pursuing a master’s degree inurban regional planning, he spent time living in China, teaching, studying and researchingthe built environment of older residential districts. His professional areas of interestinclude human scale design and built heritage. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoyscycling, growing bamboo and cooking.

A future transportation planner with a special interest in active modes and regionaltransit, Henry grew up in the Portland area and began his career as a journalist. He stillwrites articles about urban planning challenges facing the region while also working atProvidence Portland as a transportation demand management intern. After attaining hisMaster’s degree, he intends to continue working on transportation projects in smallercommunities in the Pacific Northwest.

Originally from Southeastern Washington, Elisha spent a lot of time in the Columbia Gorgeas a child. She and her family spent a lot of time hiking, picnicking, and riding ‘Grandpa’sTrain’–the tour train at the Dalles Dam where her grandfather worked for over 20 years.She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Geography. Elisha movedto Portland to study urban planning. Her hobbies include baking, reading, crosswordpuzzles, and listening to true crime stories.

Columbia Gorge Express Performance Report Card

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Inc. | 1

COLUMBIA GORGE EXPRESS 2016 - 2019 Performance Report Card

February 2020



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) launched the Columbia Gorge Express (CGE) program on Memorial Day weekend 2016. In 2017, the Western Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration awarded ODOT a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant to expand CGE, funding the program through September 2020. As CGE approaches the end of its current grant cycle, assessing its performance is integral to understanding how the program has met its goals, while providing insights into what service should look like in 2021 and beyond.

CGE has four primary goals. Based on analysis of performance data and input from stakeholder interviews, a letter grade has been assigned to objectives within each goal.

1. Improve transit access and options to recreational destinations in the Columbia River Gorge and between East Multnomah County and The Dalles

2. Enhance mobility and safety in the Columbia River Gorge

3. Address congestion and limited parking capacity at Multnomah Falls

4. Protect natural and cultural resources; reduce illegal parking



COLUMBIA GORGE EXPRESS EVOLUTION Service Timeline

2019 System Map



PERFORMANCE REPORT CARD

Goal: Improve transit access and options to recreational destinations in the Columbia River Gorge and between East Multnomah County and The Dalles Prior to CGE, intercity public transit service in the Gorge was limited. In 2016, there were 2 round trips per week between Gateway Transit Center and Hood River (Tuesdays and Thursdays only), operated by Columbia Area Transit. In May 2018, CGE introduced daily service in the corridor. As of November 2019, there are 8 weekday and 6 weekend round trips, including 2 direct daily connections to The Dalles.

CGE services demonstrate consistent demand and opportunity for continued growth, particularly during the peak months of May through September. Ridership on services to Multnomah Falls and Hood River has exceeded projected estimates. Ridership on the Rooster Rock to Multnomah Falls shuttle has remained constant (with the exception of 2018, when ridership was much higher due to the closure of the Historic Highway); growth in shuttle ridership is constrained by limited capacity. There is overwhelming stakeholder support for continuing, and expanding if possible, the Rooster Rock to Multnomah Falls shuttle.

CGE Ridership

CGE transported 226,704 one-way trips throughout the Gorge since its inception on May 27, 2016 through the end of the fall shoulder season on November 3, 2019.

Total annual ridership increased by 155%, from 30,090 boardings in 2016 to 76,867 in 2019.

Boardings at Multnomah Falls grew from 12,722 in 2016 to 33,040 in 2019.

Service availability increased from 61 days in 2016 to 296 in 2019.

Equity

In 2019, 49% of CGE riders had no access to a vehicle or no other option for travel to their destination.

35% of riders in 2019 represented people of color (down from 43% in 2018). 24% of the Portland Metro area population identified as people of color and 30% of the U.S. population identified as people of color in 2018 (source: ACS 2018).



Goal: Enhance mobility and safety in the Columbia River Gorge CGE is one part of a larger strategy to move people to and through the Gorge without the use of personal vehicles. Ridership on CGE has been strong, but there is also a need to evaluate how well the service has performed in terms of enhancing mobility. To measure mobility, the team assessed CGE’s efficiency, effectiveness, and on-time performance.

As safety was a major impetus for CGE’s launch, the team analyzed crash data for the area around Multnomah Falls. The limited availability of reported data, coupled with the challenge of correlating CGE (or public transit in general) with reported incidents, made it impractical to assign a grade to the safety objective.

CGE Efficiency

Ridership is heavily seasonal, with average daily boardings of 653 in summer, 137 in spring/fall shoulders, and 30 in winter (2019).

Riders per hour dipped from 22.5 in 2016 to 15.4 in 2019 (this decline is primarily due to the 2018 service expansion to Hood River and year-round service). A typical rural service carries 10 passengers per hour while an urban route carries 20 per hour. CGE, which serves both rural and urban contexts, sits between these two metrics.

Shoulder and off-season boardings per hour is fairly low at 7.4 per hour in 2019.

CGE Effectiveness

Cost per hour lowered from $119.91 (2016) to $115.60 (2019), which is lower than the cost of a major urban provider like TriMet ($145/hour) but higher than a small city system like Columbia Area Transit ($100/hour).

In general, service is becoming more effective. Service hours were reduced in 2019, but ridership remained about the same.

Scheduling continues to be a challenge, with long lines for westbound service on weekend afternoons.

CGE On-Time Performance

In 2019, average on-time performance for CGE was 75%. On-time performance goals for many transit agencies ranges from 85-90%.



Eastbound runs typically had better on-time performance than westbound runs.

Hood River westbound (60% on time, 18% late, 22% early) and Cascade Locks westbound (64% on time, 24% late, 12% early) were the worst performing stops.

The Rooster Rock shuttle had the best on-time performance of any route, likely due to the shorter distance and longer dwell times at Multnomah Falls (to account for gate closures).

Gorge Safety

Overall the number of reported crashes at or near the I-84 Multnomah Falls parking is very small.

Crashes at Exit 31 are more frequent than crashes at other nearby exits; eastbound connection crashes have declined while westbound crashes increased through 2017.

Vehicle crashes around Exit 31 on I-84 are down in 2019 compared to 2015 and 2016.



Goal: Address congestion and limited parking capacity at Multnomah Falls It is challenging to directly correlate the presence of CGE with congestion changes. Millions visit Multnomah Falls each year, thus it would be difficult for CGE to have a measurable impact (for example, 2019 CGE ridership accounts for an estimated 4% of annual visitation at Multnomah Falls). Stakeholders generally agree that CGE has to be part of a larger, multi-faceted solution to truly change travel patterns. There are, however, some indicators that show positive changes to general traffic conditions in the Gorge. Anecdotally, stakeholders agree that CGE has reduced congestion around the I-84 parking lot, but there remain significant challenges on the Historic Highway.

Traffic Congestion

Annual vehicle hours of delay near Exit 31 have dropped by 70%, from approximately 12,800 hours in 2015 to 3,900 hours in 2019.

Summer eastbound delay was far higher in 2015 than in 2016 and onward, when CGE began operation.

Since service began, CGE has diverted a total of 20,725 cars from the I-84 parking lot (about 2% of tracked vehicle volume in the I-84 lot from 2016-2019). Diversions peaked in 2018 when the Historic Highway was closed.

The closure of the Historic Highway waterfall corridor (Bridal Veil to Ainsworth State Park) from September 4, 2017 to November 23, 2018 shows the power of a drastic access change. The closure resulted in higher demand for the CGE shuttle compared to previous years. Ridership increased significantly and there were no parking violations on the closed Historic Highway.

Exit 31 Gate Closures

The total number of days with gate closures was nearly identical in 2018 and 2019 (167 and 165, respectively); gate closures in 2017 were much lower at 114 days, this difference is mostly due to the Eagle Creek Fire.

Looking at peak season only (June, July and August), the number of closures and duration of closures has increased every year from 2017 – 2019.

Gate closures remain a challenge for transit, impacting operational costs, on-time performance, and customer experience. When the eastbound gate is closed, the CGE buses must continue on I-84 and turn around at Exit 35 Ainsworth, adding about 8 service miles and 15+ minutes to the trip.

Temporary barriers at the westbound exit were added in summer 2019. Passenger vehicles trying to enter the parking lot from the westbound side were not permitted entry until the eastbound gate reopened, thus blocking any CGE buses behind them. The westbound barriers also delayed employee shuttles and special events vehicles for the Multnomah Falls Lodge.

Drivers within the Multnomah Falls parking lot who wait for a spot to open impede traffic flow; it is sometimes faster for a westbound bus to go east to Exit 35 Ainsworth, turn around, and then travel back on I-84 westbound to get to RR or GTC (adding another 8 miles and 15 minutes to the trip).



Goal: Protect natural and cultural resources; reduce illegal parking

CGE is funded through the Federal Lands Access Program and serves sites in a federally designated National Scenic Area. Preservation of natural space is therefore a priority of CGE funders and partners.

Reducing illegal parking along the Historic Highway was originally framed as a CGE goal for two reasons:

1. Parking in non-designated areas can damage wildlife

2. Drivers in search of parking can block through movement on the Historic Highway, resulting in major congestion (and carbon emissions) and degrading the ability to access federal recreation land

Other than Multnomah Falls, CGE does not serve sites along the Historic Highway, which is where the majority of illegal parking activity occurs. It is therefore challenging to directly correlate parking conditions on the Historic Highway with CGE service. Transit alone cannot change visitor behavior in this corridor; reducing illegal parking and congestion on the Historic Highway necessitates a much broader approach, of which transit is one strategy.

Environmental Impacts

From 2016 - 2019, CGE service reduced carbon emissions in the Gorge by 170 metric tons of CO²

CGE's 2019 emission reductions (60 metric tons) make up 0.001% of the Portland Metro's CO² levels annually produced from cars and light trucks

Visitors who drive to Multnomah Falls and circle to look for parking before taking the Rooster Rock shuttle add to carbon emissions, negating a portion of CGE's impact

Parking Impacts

Parking violations on the Historic Highway in 2019 are down 53% from 2017

CGE has not had an impact on congestion or parking on the Historic Highway

Anecdotally, parking issues were less concentrated at Multnomah Falls in 2019 and instead were more dispersed throughout the Gorge; backups on I-84 at Rooster Rock have increased

Summary Figure 1 summarizes progress toward goals; a detailed table with all data is in the CGE Report Card below.



Figure 1 Meeting our goals

Goal Performance Measure 2015 - 2016 2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 2018 - 2019

Improve transit access to recreation destinations between East Multnomah County and The Dalles

Increase amount of transit service between Portland and The Dalles

Increase transit ridership at recreation destinations -

Increase the availability of transit all year -

Enhance equitable access to recreation opportunities -

Enhance Gorge mobility and safety

Increase transit ridership in the Gorge

Meet or exceed ridership projections for service expansion to Cascade Locks and Hood River - -

Provide efficient service -

Transition intercity service to an established transit provider - - - -

Reduce vehicle crashes at Exit 31 EB -

Address congestion and limited parking at Multnomah Falls parking lot

Reduce driving trips to Multnomah Falls parking lot

Reduce congestion at Exit 31 EB

Protect natural and cultural resources, reduce illegal parking

Reduce carbon footprint of Gorge visitors -

Reduce illegal parking along Historic Highway

= Made progress toward measure / made improvement

= No progress toward measure / no change

= Degraded progress toward measure / conditions worsened



STAKEHOLDER INPUT The team conducted several interviews with stakeholders to discuss CGE strengths, opportunities, and the future of the service and has integrated feedback throughout the report card.

Stakeholders’ wish list for CGE 2021 and beyond:

Fix the I-84 Multnomah Falls parking lot. Stakeholders differed in opinion on whether to close the lot entirely to passenger vehicles or find another way to tackle congestion.

When ODOT closes the westbound ramp, it negatively affects transit service.

Get the service frequency right based on ridership – more westbound service is needed on summer afternoons. There is also a desire for service to start earlier and end later. Yet the biggest issues occur in afternoon, when passengers trying to go westbound can wait up to 2 hours for a bus.

Add much more robust marketing, including more marketing to local communities, more information distribution to places that reach tourists, and supporting a Gorge to Airport message.

Offer (or better market) one-seat ride connection to The Dalles

Price parking at I-84 Multnomah Falls lot and Rooster Rock, and use funds to support transit and traffic enforcement.

First-mile / last-mile connections to CGE stops

Tackle congestion on the Historic Highway. Add flaggers and traffic enforcement on Historic Highway.

Add stops at trailheads and Bonneville Dam. [Note: USFS prefers not to add more sites to CGE].

Accommodate pets and bikes

Need alignment among stakeholders on the bigger picture ideas, the longer-term solutions – which ones should be pursued?

Explore additional places for shuttle parking, including Benson State Park, Dalton Point, Hatfield Visitor Center, and the unused gravel lot north of Lewis and Clark to reduce pressure on Rooster Rock.

2020 Historic Highway Accomplishments January

- Started MURP project with PSU students for Cascade Avenue in Hood River - With the Gorge Forum, started conversations on Summer Congestion and safety mitigation

activities - Mitchell Point Tunnel hit 95% Design

February - Strategized how to dissuade RV camping on Historic Highway shoulders (from Troutdale Bridge

to Stark St Bridge) - Familiarized the OPRD Landscape Architect with the Historic Highway State Trail - Met with concerned neighbor regarding Mitchell Point Tunnel concerns, formulated approach to

address concerns - Provided feedback on the Gorge Commission’s Recreation chapter edits to the Gorge 2020

Management Plan - Presented at the Gorge Tourism Summit regarding the final 5 miles of State Trail - Hosted media event for the Oneonta Tunnel rock scaling work

March - Presented to Travel Portland Tour operator’s group regarding length restrictions on the Historic

Highway - Met with new Multnomah County Land Use Planning Manager to familiarize her with ODOT’s

projects in the Gorge - 2020 Ready, Set GOrge! messaging kick off - Submitted the Oneonta Tunnel Plans to Multnomah County for final sign-off on the NSA permit - March 16 – much of ODOT started working from home - Mitchell Point Tunnel and Viento to Mitchell Point design workshops - Plant Survey for Douglasia at McCord Creek for the I-84 Bridge replacement project - Presented to the OR Trails Coalition on Signature Trails webinar - Geotechnical NSA permit approved by Hood River County on the Mitchell Point to Hood River

State Trail segment (Segments G and H) - Troutdale Bridge walkway started construction - With agency partners, ODOT closed the Historic Highway between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth

State Park on March 27 - Toothrock Viaduct rockfall mitigation permit submitted to Multnomah County (final action

requiring a permit from the Eagle Creek Fire), responded to preliminary US Forest Service comments

April - Started Conversations with TMAs throughout the state regarding transit in a post-COVID-19

world - With ODOT’s approval, OPRD is staffing a closure on the Historic Highway from Larch Mountain

to Bridal Veil to limit exposure of Parks staff to visitors at closed park properties on April 7 - Coordinated with OPRD regarding budget challenges and Viento Campground improvements - Coordination with Gorge Partners on current closures/operations - Attended virtual Gorge Commission meetings regarding Management Plan update – various

topics - Adjusted plans for congestion and safety actions this summer in response to current events - Coordinated future STIP projects on I-84 in the Gorge including timing and impacts - Toothrock Viaduct rockfall mitigation permit deemed complete by Multnomah County

May - Attended webinar “Providing outdoor recreation while keeping public and staff safe” - Mitchell Point Agency Coordination - Coordination with Gorge Partners on current closures/operations - Attended “Reopening Oregon’s Outdoors” meeting regarding Statewide guidance for re-

opening.