Work starts on Gorge highway tunnel closed for 70 years
Work has begun to reconstruct an iconic tunnel in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has taken the first step in rebuilding Mitchell Point Tunnel, a passage built in 1915 for cars traveling the Historic Columbia River Highway that has been closed for nearly 70 years.
The new tunnel, for walkers and bikers, will be 655-feet long with five arched windows reminiscent of the original design. The work will be completed in 2023.
The original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the old Columbia River Highway, and was noted for its five arched windows showing views of the Gorge.
• At 6 p.m. on May 6,
Join us on Facebook to watch a commemorative video. We will announce the winners of the art contest before the video screening. You can RSVP to the event now. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch the screening.
Constructed in 1915, the original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the old Columbia River Highway with its five arched windows an iconic view.
In 1953, we closed and filled in the tunnel, which had become to small and narrow for modern transportation, and it was destroyed in 1966 with construction of the interstate highway.
In 1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed and motivated the Oregon State Legislature to commit to restore the entire Historic Highway to its glory days of the 1920s. An effort is underway to restore all 73 miles from Troutdale to The Dalles. Some segments are accessible to cars and cyclists. Some segments, known as the Historic Highway State Trail, will be accessible only by people walking, rolli
• At 6 p.m. on May 6,
Join us on Facebook to watch a commemorative video. We will announce the winners of the art contest before the video screening. You can RSVP to the event now. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch the screening.
Constructed in 1915, the original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the old Columbia River Highway with its five arched windows an iconic view.
In 1953, we closed and filled in the tunnel, which had become to small and narrow for modern transportation, and it was destroyed in 1966 with construction of the interstate highway.
In 1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed and motivated the Oregon State Legislature to commit to restore the entire Historic Highway to its glory days of the 1920s. An effort is underway to restore all 73 miles from Troutdale to The Dalles. Some segments are accessible to cars and cyclists. Some segments, known as the Historic Highway State Trail, will be accessible only by people walking, rolli
• At 6 p.m. on May 6,
Join us on Facebook to watch a commemorative video. We will announce the winners of the art contest before the video screening. You can RSVP to the event now. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch the screening.
Constructed in 1915, the original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the old Columbia River Highway with its five arched windows an iconic view.
In 1953, we closed and filled in the tunnel, which had become to small and narrow for modern transportation, and it was destroyed in 1966 with construction of the interstate highway.
In 1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed and motivated the Oregon State Legislature to commit to restore the entire Historic Highway to its glory days of the 1920s. An effort is underway to restore all 73 miles from Troutdale to The Dalles. Some segments are accessible to cars and cyclists. Some segments, known as the Historic Highway State Trail, will be accessible only by people walking, rolli
• At 6 p.m. on May 6,
Join us on Facebook to watch a commemorative video. We will announce the winners of the art contest before the video screening. You can RSVP to the event now. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch the screening.
Constructed in 1915, the original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the old Columbia River Highway with its five arched windows an iconic view.
In 1953, we closed and filled in the tunnel, which had become to small and narrow for modern transportation, and it was destroyed in 1966 with construction of the interstate highway.
In 1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed and motivated the Oregon State Legislature to commit to restore the entire Historic Highway to its glory days of the 1920s. An effort is underway to restore all 73 miles from Troutdale to The Dalles. Some segments are accessible to cars and cyclists. Some segments, known as the Historic Highway State Trail, will be accessible only by people walking, rolli