| Columbia Gorge Bridge Projects |
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| Overview |
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Drivers on Interstate 84 see spectacular views as they pass through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Hosting more than 2 million visitors each year, the Columbia River Gorge NSA is one of the most frequently visited natural attractions in the nation. In fact, I-84 just east of Portland has the highest daily traffic volume of all Oregon interstates. That’s why keeping traffic moving along one of Oregon’s busiest thoroughfares in one of the nation’s most treasured National Scenic Areas is a top priority for the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Numerous bridges along I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge create a seamless corridor for travelers. Built in the latter half of the 20th century, many of these bridges are showing signs of aging and wear, and must be repaired or replaced.
Today, ODOT is repairing or replacing 21 spans on I-84 through the Gorge with a new generation of bridges. Modern design and construction techniques will bring greater safety to travelers. New bridge designs will complement the aesthetic appeal of the Gorge and reflect the allure of the adjacent Historic Columbia River Highway.
I-84 Corridor Strategy guides highway, bridge improvements
In the past, no clear, cohesive framework existed to guide roadway improvements in the Gorge corridor; highways and bridges were designed project-by-project. With the Gorge’s complex regulatory requirements and special interests, this approach has sometimes been costly, time-consuming and inefficient. Working with a team of public involvement professionals, ODOT led development of the I-84 Corridor Strategy that now guides the design and development of future transportation projects within the Gorge.
The I-84 Corridor Strategy provides a vision that includes long-term goals for highway projects throughout the Gorge. The design guidelines include conceptual diagrams and recommendations for line, color, and texture of highway features and materials. The strategy also specifies a collaborative, interdisciplinary, interagency approach to project planning and development.
Early design guidelines were presented at public workshops in communities throughout the Gorge. A draft of the I-84 Corridor Strategy was made available to the public and revised based on public comments. The final document was completed in late November 2005.
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| Project Site Map |
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The design contractors—Parsons Brinckerhoff, David Evans and Associates, and URS Corp.—are following the I-84 Corridor Strategy design guidelines to create bridges that complement the beauty and historic legacy of the Columbia River Gorge. Construction contractors will be chosen through competitive bidding.
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| Upcoming Events |
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Check here for events coming soon.
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| Design Activity |
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Project teams will complete design work spring 2008 for bridges between Cascade Locks and Hood River, and for the 15 Mile Creek bridge in Mosier and Spanish Hollow Creek bridge on U.S. 97.
Design work on the remaining Gorge bridges is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2008.
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| Construction Activity |
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Repairs to Interstate 84 bridges at Hostetler Way in The Dalles and Rock Creek in Mosier were completed summer 2007.
Construction began summer 2008 on bridges from Cascade Locks to Hood River. Look here for the weekly construction news that details traffic impacts on the project, updated every Friday.
Construction will begin shortly on the 15 Mile Creek bridge in Mosier and Spanish Hollow Creek on U.S. 97 south of Biggs.
Construction on the remaining Gorge bridges is scheduled to start in 2009.
The following is a brief description of each “bundle,” or set of bridge projects, included in the Columbia River Gorge corridor (click on each link for more details):
I-84 Sandy River to Jordan Road
These four bridges act as a gateway between the Gorge and the Portland metropolitan area.
Project Information
I-84 Dodson to Tanner Creek
These four bridges lie just west of Cascade Locks and are near Bonneville Dam, Ainsworth State Park and John B. Yeon State Park.
Project Information
I-84 Cascade Locks to Hood River
The bridges in this bundle make up the heart of the Gorge and are a critical corridor for agriculture and recreation. They span the junction of the Hood and Columbia rivers.
Project Information
Construction on this project began July 2008. Look here for the weekly construction news that details traffic impacts on the project, updated every Friday.
I-84: Exit 64 (Hood River)
Replacing the exit 64 bridge on I-84 is now a separate project, to include improvements to the adjacent crossroads.
Project Information
I-84: Hood River - Mosier Creek
The Mosier Creek bridge replacement and other freeway improvements will begin construction in spring 2008.
Project Information
I-84 Hood River to The Dalles
Connecting history, community, wildlife and commerce, these five bridges are located at the east end of the Columbia River Gorge. Repairs to the I-84 bridges at Hostetler Way in The Dalles and Rock Creek in Mosier were completed summer 2007. Recently added is a project to repair the Spanish Hollow Creek bridge on U.S. 97 south of Biggs.
Project Information
Gorge Bridges Newsletters
September 2008
April 2008
February 2008
March 2007
January 2007
October 2006
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| Project Budget |
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Funding allocated for the Gorge bridge projects totals $156 million for design and construction. Bridge work is funded by the third installment of the Oregon Transportation Investment Act. Interstate 84 roadway improvements are funded by the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
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| Contacts |
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For more information, contact Suzanne Roberts, Public Involvement Coordinator
(503) 471-6866; suzanne.roberts@obdp.org
To be added to our I-84 Columbia River Gorge Bridges mailing list, send an e-mail message to i84crgbridges@gmail.com; please include your e-mail address and/or mailing address.
For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com or call the Oregon road report at 511 or (800) 977-6368.
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