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Project-Details







Mitchell Point Tunnel

Construction Phase

Region 1: Portland metro and Hood River County (Hood River, Hood River)


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This project will construct a crossing at Mitchell Point and connect two segments of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Learn more about the Historic Highway State Trail.  

Columbia River Gorge Construction: I-84 and U.S. 30 Historic Columbia River Highway

Impacts

Construction Impacts

  • ​​Exit 58 off-ramp is closed throughout construction

Visit TripCheck.com for real-time traffic updates. ​

Meetings and Events

We hosted a virtual groundbreaking celebration on May 6, 2021. Watch the recording. ​

View an online open house​ from 2020 and learn more about the Historic Highway State Trail. ​

The project team hosted an open house on May 16, 2018. The displays are available online​

Key Milestones

  • 2024: Mitchell Point Tunnel expected to open
  • May 16, 2018: Open House
  • May 21, 2018: The Advisory Committee recommended a design alternative for the Mitchell Point Crossing.
  • June 13, 2018: The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission endorsed the design recommendation.
  • Through 2020: Design continued on the preferred alternative, which includes a Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area permit. 
  • Spring 2021: Construction begins

Schedule

Construction began in spring 2021. The tunnel is expected to open in 2024.

Details

About

Mitchell Point was the site of an iconic tunnel with its five arched windows overlooking the Columbia River. Constructed in 1915, the tunnel was closed in 1953 because it could no longer accommodate high traffic volumes and car sizes. It was destroyed in 1966 to widen the water-level highway, now Interstate 84. The historic tunnel was 390-feet long.

Mitchell Point is a formidable mountain that requires a new crossing to connect the western segments of State Trail to Hood River and The Dalles. ODOT received funds for design and construction of a new Mitchell Point Crossing from the Federal Lands Access Program​, a competitive nationwide grant for projects improving access to federal lands. 

At the May 16, 2018 open house, three alternative crossing designs were presented, including two tunnel options. 

On May 21, 2018 the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee recommended the 570-foot tunnel and trail alternative and on June 13, 2018 the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission endorsed the same design recommendation. 

The final tunnel plans include five arched window and a 655-foot tunnel.

Western Federal Lands Highway Division is the contract administrator for this construction project. ODOT owns and operates the Historic Highway. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the State Trail in partnership with ODOT.​

Location

N/A | H​isto​ric Columbia River Highway near Interstate 84 milepost 58

Cost and Funding

​​$31 million funded through the Federal Lands Access Program.

Contractor

​Crestline Construction

Additional Information

Over the next several years, we have many construction projects planned on I-84 between I-205 and Hood River, and on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Troutdale and Hood River. 

View more information about upcoming work. 

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

Podemos proveer la información en esta publicación en español. Para recibir la información en español, por favor llamé al (503) 731-4128.

Если вы хотите, чтобы информация об этом проекте была переведена на русский язык, пожалуйста, звоните по телефону 503-731-4128.

如果您想瞭解這個項目翻譯成 繁體中文 的相關資訊,請致電  503-731-4128.

이 프로젝트에 관한 한국어로 된 자료 신청방법 전화: 503-731-4128.

Nếu quý vị muốn thông tin về dự án này được dịch sang tiếng Việt, xin gọi 503-731-4128.​

Contacts & Media

Mitchell Point is located just east of Exit 58 on I-84.

Videos


View on YouTube

Image Gallery

Project Contacts

Community Affairs Coordinator
Katelyn Jackson
Email
Katelyn.Jackson@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
503-489-9057

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Coordinator
Terra Lingley
Email
Terra.M.Lingley@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
503-731-8232
Project Hotline
24/7 Noise: 503-294-1570
Project Accommodation Request
503-731-4128

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Last Updated

9/19/2023 2:13 PM

Project Number

HCRHMP

Project Documents

Related documents to this project
Open-House-Displays-HCRHMP.pdfView the displays from the May 16, 2018 open house.
Mitchell-Point-Tunnel-handout-HCRHMP.pdfView a handout with information about the Mitchell Point Tunnel from spring 2021.
I84-Gorge-2023_Mailer_3.pdfView the 2023 Construction Mailer.