Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH): Mitchell Point Crossing

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/02/permits-will-be-required-to-drive-historic-columbia-river-highway-this-summer.html Permits will be required to drive Historic Columbia River Highway this summer Looking to take a drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway this summer You'll need a permit for that. Timed entry permits will be required along the "waterfall corridor" of the scenic Columbia River Gorge highway between May 24 and Sept. 5, 2022, the Oregon Department of Transportation confirmed Tuesday, following an initial report by the Portland Tribune. Drivers will need to show their permits at one of three checkpoints set up between Crown Point and Ainsworth State Park. Those cycling along the highway, taking public transportation or on a tour, will not need a permit. Other parking fees will still apply at recreation areas along the corridor. Details, including how much the permits will cost and how many will be sold, are still being worked out, department spokesperson Don Hamilton said. People will be able to buy permits online in advance, though a limited number of same-day permits will also be made available. The new permits are an effort to curb crowds along the scenic highway, which gives access to famous landmarks like the Vista House, popular hikes at Angel's Rest and Wahkeena Falls, as well as viewpoints at several other waterfalls, including Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horsetail Falls. "This is a modest step to help address an increasingly serious problem," Hamilton said. "Everybody knows how bad the congestion has been getting in the gorge, especially in the waterfall corridor." The area is known to fill with cars on sunny weekends in spring and summer, and people have been known to leave their vehicles parked precariously on the side of the highway when parking lots get full. In recent years, local sheriff's offices have begun towing cars parked illegally around scenic areas, especially in the Columbia Gorge and on Mount Hood. In the Columbia Gorge, where land is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Washington State Parks, as well as some local parks departments, officials have been gradually taking new measures to curb overcrowding and illegal parking. In 2018, the U.S. Forest Service started requiring permits at Dog Mountain, a popular hiking spot on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge, after limiting space in the parking lot and cracking down on illegal parking on the side of Washington State Route 14. In 2020, the forest service began a permitting system to visit Multnomah Falls during the busy summer season, offering 500 tickets for each one-hour time slot between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Permits are typically waived for those who take public or private mass transportation to the Columbia Gorge, and services have increased as agencies have introduced new permitting systems. The Sasquatch Shuttle is one option for the waterfall corridor along the historic highway, while the Columbia River Express runs along Interstate 84 between Portland and Hood River, stopping off at Multnomah Falls. The Dog Mountain Shuttle takes hikers to the trailhead from downtown Stevenson. While the new system may rankle some people who are used to driving freely along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Oregon Department of Transportation said the permits will ultimately create a more enjoyable experience. "This is Oregon's crown jewel, the gorge, and we've got to make sure that we can provide access and we can provide a way to keep it a good and effective and safe experience for people," Hamilton said. "I think people are going to find a better and smoother experience in the gorge when we get this going." _____________________________________________ https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/STIP/Documents/OnlineSTIP_Public.pdf ACTIVE 2018-2021 STIP STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ACTIVE STIP PRINTED 8/31/2020 Most Recent Approved Amendment Amendment No: 18-21-3541 Approval Date: 3/23/2020 Requested Action: Increase project cost by $1,261,374, adding funds from the City of Hood River. Add a Utility Relocation phase. 2018-2021 Active STIP HOOD RIVER Name: Historic Columbia River Highway: Mitchell Point Crossing Description Develop plans for the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from Viento State Park to the City of HoodRiver, and construct the trail segment between Perham Creek Bridge and Mitchell Point crossing. MPO: Non-MPO Work Type: BIKPED Applicant: ODOT Status: PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR CONSTRUCTION Current Project Estimate Planning Prelim. Engineering Right of Way Utility Relocation Construction Other Project Total Year 2018 2020 Total $9,905,838.00 $21,549,000.00 $31,454,838.00 Fund 1 K200 $8,888,508.00 G20E $19,335,918.00 Match $2,213,082.00 Fund 2 S010 $1,017,330.00 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Develop plans for the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from Viento State Park to the City of HoodRiver, and construct the trail segment between Perham Creek Bridge and Mitchell Point crossing. As of May 29, 2020, the project is in final planning status. Anticipated letting date is July 04, 2020. ODOT - Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH): Mitchell Point Crossing *Project information has been obtained through a public state transportation improvement plan (STIP). A STIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the STIP often evolves based on funding availability. The project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.

Division 32 -	Exterior Improvements, Operation and Maintenance of Exterior Improvements.
Division 34 -	Transportation, Operation and Maintenance of Transportation.