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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail--John B. Yeon to Moffett Creek
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Latest News
January 25, 2012
CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON STATE TRAIL SECTION
An ODOT contractor has started construction on a new 1.6 mile section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trails between John B. Yeon State Park and Moffett Creek. The project will be completed in early fall of 2013.
Traffic Detour
During the first phase of the construction, the eastbound on-ramp (milepost 37) from Warrendale to I-84 will be closed starting Jan. 25, for up to 90 days, for initial construction activities and equipment staging. The detour route for motorists is to use the Exit 35 eastbound onramp at the Ainsworth interchange.
Noise
The trail construction will require some rock blasting to construct the walls along the trail. Blasting operations are scheduled to begin Feb. 3 and could possibly last up to 3 weeks.
During the weekday blasting, intermittent lane closures and rolling slowdowns on I-84 will also occur in both directions for safety reasons. To accommodate increased weekend traffic, all lanes will be open starting Fridays at noon through Sunday evenings.
For further information on the project or to receive periodic updates by email, please contact Susan Hanson, ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator at Susan.C.Hanson@odot.state.or.us or 503-731-3490.
Background
The Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) has been abandoned and segmented by the construction of I-84. In 1987, the Oregon Legislature directed ODOT to develop a plan to preserve, restore and maintain existing portions of the historic highway and to reconnect missing segments with a State Trail allowing recreationists on foot and bicycles to enjoy a reasonable approximation of the original historic  highway.
Much work has been accomplished since 1987, and 62 of the original 73 miles of the Historic Highway are now open to travel either by motor vehicle (Historic Highway or connecting county roads) or by foot and bicycle (State Trail). As of 2011, 11 miles of State Trail have been completed, linking a number of isolated segments of the HCRH. An additional twelve miles await reconnection. The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee and the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway have jointly spearheaded an effort to restore and reconnect the highway and advocate for the completion of the State Trail by 2016, the 100th anniversary of Lancaster's masterpiece.
Once complete Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail will provide Oregonians and visitors from around the world access to many of Oregon’s under developed State Parks, open up extraordinary views to undiscovered waterfalls and the majestic Columbia River, and allow visitors to discover first hand the fascinating history of the Gorge and its famed Columbia River Highway.
John B. Yeon State Park to Moffett Creek Segment
This segment is a 1.6 mile missing piece of the trail connecting Troutdale with Cascade Locks. ODOT will construct a multi-use trail from John B. Yeon State Park at Warrendale to the restored Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail at the HCRH Moffett Creek Bridge. This trail/bike path will be a paved 12-foot wide path. It is accessible for hikers, walkers, bicyclists and people using wheelchairs.The trail will require a pedestrian bridge over McCord Creek, parallel I-84 to the south and cross under I-84 at the Moffett Creek structure to connect with the restored State Trail.
It is anticipated that construction of this trail segment will begin in February 2012 and that the project will be completed in the summer of 2013.
Trail Segment Highlights
1 Creates access so bicyclists will no longer have to use the shoulder of I-84 between Troutdale and Cascade Locks.
2 Allows for a 34 mile scenic bike ride between Troutdale and Cascade Locks following along 26 miles of the drivable historic highway and 6.5 miles on the State Trail.
3 Incorporates a picnic and rest area with restored views of Beacon Rock.
4 Connects to US Forest Service Trail 400 with an opportunity to hike to Elowah Falls.
5 Takes advantage of the existing trail head at John B. Yeon State Park.
6 Provides access from the west to the historic Moffett Creek Bridge and the HCRH State Trail to Cascade Locks.
7 Provides another ADA accessible section of the trail for hikers.
Trail Description
The HCRH State Trail will be a 1.6 mile long extension between the John B. Yeon State Park Trailhead and the State Trail at the Historic Moffett Creek Bridge. The trail will be accessible to non-motorized transportation including cyclists, pedestrians, and people with disabilities, complimenting the existing USFS Gorge Trail 400.The trail is designed using much of the existing vegetation and topography, in combination with structures that blend into the natural environment.
The trail will begin at the John B. Yeon State Park Trailhead, on the south side of the Interstate-84. Protected by a concrete barrier, the trail parallels I-84 for approximately 1,700 feet until it reaches McCord Creek. A new 76-foot pedestrian bridge, designed to reflect the craftsmanship and artistry of the Historic Columbia River Highway, will cross McCord Creek approximately 150 feet upstream from I-84. The trail returns to parallel I-84 for approximately 900 feet before diving south into the woods. From here, the trail meanders for approximately 3,000 feet through predominately forested terrain, with some small clearings which provide viewpoints and picnic areas. Several types of retaining walls are utilized to minimize the trail footprint and impacts to the environment. Again, the trail emerges to parallel I-84, this time it rises atop a retaining wall constructed as part of the Moffett Creek Bridge replacement. At Moffett Creek, retaining walls are again employed to provide a switchback and rest area to transition the trail under both the eastbound and westbound I-84 bridges. Finally, the trail connects with the previously restored State Trail at the HCRH Moffett Creek Bridge so recreationists can continue on to Cascade Locks.
Click here to see a map of this trail.
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For more information on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Contact Kristen Stallman, Scenic Area Coordinator
Kristen.Stallman@odot.state.or.us
503-731-4957
Or Susan Hanson, Community Affairs Coordinator
Susan.C.Hanson@odot.state.or.us
503-731-3490
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