| Interstate 84 |
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| Old Oregon Trail |
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Oregon’s portion of Interstate 84, also known as the Old Oregon Trail Highway or the Columbia River Highway, follows the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland before turning south and inland at Boardman, continuing through Pendleton, La Grande and Baker City before entering Idaho just east of Ontario. It is the longest portion of interstate in Oregon, stretching 375 miles. Originally named Interstate 80 North, the highway replaced U.S. 30 which followed a higher route with switchbacks, many tunnels and only two lanes in many areas. Oregon’s portion of I-84 was completed on July 3, 1980.
Near its start on the east side of Portland, a section of I-84 has the highest average daily traffic volume of all of Oregon’s interstates. Traffic on I-84 just west of 33rd Avenue averages 163,500 vehicles a day.
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| Interesting Facts |
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I-80N became I-84
The Federal Highway Administration renamed Interstate 80 North to Interstate 84 because studies done at the time showed that letter suffixes created driver confusion, affecting traffic operations and safety. The cost of converting signage in the three affected states, Oregon, Idaho and Utah, was $185,000.
Oregon’s first ‘expressway’
Improving the congested section of U.S. 30 in Portland from the Steel Bridge to Troutdale was the goal of Oregon’s first modern expressway. During construction of the new expressway, the Oregon State Highway Commission named the route the T.H. Banfield Expressway after longtime OSHC Chairperson Thomas Banfield in recognition for his valuable services to the state.
The expressway was completed in 1955 and hailed by the local media. “Not a single traffic light bars one’s progress on this multi-lane, limited-access road. Traveling at 55 miles an hour, the drive from 42nd Avenue to Troutdale requires only 12 minutes.” (Oregonian, Oct. 5, 1955)
The Banfield was largely completed more than a year before the federal government would finalize the funding mechanisms for the interstate system as we know it today. It established an increasingly typical standard for highway construction in Oregon and kicked off Oregon’s foray into the interstate — before the interstate was even a system.
Troutdale to The Dalles
This section of I-84 tightly hugs the banks of the Columbia River, providing numerous scenic views as you traverse through the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area including Bridal Veil Falls and Multnomah Falls.
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| Recent Accomplishments |
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- 1999: A third lane (truck passing) for eastbound traffic headed up Cabbage Hill, east of Pendleton, was completed in 1999. The extra lane has drastically reduced wintertime road closures due to spun-out trucks blocking the freeway on this steep grade.
- 2000-2005: Over the past five years, the number of TripCheck cameras, variable message signs and weather stations along I-84 in eastern Oregon has more than doubled. These roadside monitoring and communication tools help improve freeway safety for motorists and increase ODOT’s effectiveness.
- 2003: TripCheck cameras and weather stations added at The Dalles, Celilo, John Day River, and Arlington to improve communications with motorists and those planning travel
- 2002-2005: ODOT replaced eight bridges west of La Grande. This $40 million project, funded mostly by OTIA, has removed truck restrictions between Pendleton and La Grande.
- 2003: Rockfall retaining wall constructed at MP 81 eastbound to assist with slide management
- 2003-2006: Numerous truck chain-up area improvement projects have recently been constructed and more are scheduled in the near future. These include additional truck parking and lighting near mountain passes that will increase safety for truckers and all motorists.
- 2004: Permanent Variable Message Signs installed at Biggs eastbound and
northbound on Hwy 97, alerting motorists to potential highway problems
- 2004: IM preservation, new pavement and striping added, from Hood River to Mosier
- 2004: Rockfall catchment cleanout at MP 128
- 2005: I-84 over Hwy 30 (Webber St.) bridge replaced, improving freight mobility, easing congestion and improving safety
- 2005: Electrical heating wires were installed along the eastbound lanes at Ladd Canyon, an extremely challenging section of freeway east of La Grande. The area is plagued by numerous road closures due to spun out trucks blocking the road. The heating system was designed to reduce issues related to black ice at near-freezing temperatures and improve the effectiveness of ODOT’s anti-icing materials. The system is currently working effectively.
- 2005-2008: In the next few years, over twenty interstate bridges will be repaired or replaced along the 230-mile stretch of I-84 that runs through eastern Oregon. Mostly funded by OTIA, the projects will result in the removal of freeway freight restrictions to help keep Oregon prosperous and on the move.
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