Traffic Impact
9/6/24: Historic Highway reopens west of Multnomah Falls to flagged traffic
The Historic Columbia River Highway, also known as U.S. 30, is now open west of Multnomah Falls with flaggers directing traffic in a single lane after a temporary, urgent closure.
Expect delays as flaggers direct traffic between Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls. The best way to visit Multnomah Falls continues to be via Exit 31 on Interstate 84 or take transit.
The Historic Highway is restricted to vehicles under 35-feet in length between Larch Mountain and Ainsworth State Park (mileposts 8.76-22). An 11-ton weight restriction remains in place just west of Multnomah Falls until further notice.
The Historic Highway will close again from October 1, 2024, to Memorial Day 2025 as part of a planned closure to repair and restore the elevated roadways – called a viaducts – that carry vehicle traffic on both sides of Multnomah Falls.
Construction Impacts
Entering the west viaduct from the westbound direction on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
View of the east viaduct from eastbound I-84.
View the handout
From fall 2024 to spring 2026, expect full closures and delays on the Historic Highway near the Multnomah Falls Lodge. Access to the Falls and the Lodge will remain open. Be prepared to use I-84 for access and parking. There will be detours or lane closures for the Historic Highway. Or try transit with Columbia Area Transit to gain access.
One viaduct will be closed at a time between fall and spring each year. In between viaduct closures, there will be flaggers directing traffic on the Historic Highway. Over the next two years, you can expect:
- Nighttime single lane closures: intermittently from fall 2024 through fall 2026
- West viaduct closure: fall 2024 through spring 2025
- East viaduct closure: fall 2025 through spring 2026
West Viaduct Construction (fall 2024 to spring 2025)
Expect the following traffic impacts beginning fall 2024:
- 9/6/24: The Historic Columbia River Highway, also known as U.S. 30, is now open west of Multnomah Falls with flaggers directing traffic in a single lane after a temporary, urgent closure. Expect delays as flaggers direct traffic between Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls. The best way to visit Multnomah Falls continues to be via Exit 31 on Interstate 84 or take transit. The Historic Highway is restricted to vehicles under 35-feet in length between Larch Mountain and Ainsworth State Park (mileposts 8.76-22). An 11-ton weight restriction remains in place just west of Multnomah Falls until further notice.
- The Historic Highway will be closed just west of the Multnomah Falls Lodge. When the west viaduct is closed, there will be no access to Multnomah Falls by vehicles traveling eastbound on the Historic Highway. Vehicles traveling eastbound will be required to turnaround at the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead before reaching the Multnomah Falls Lodge and westbound vehicles will be required to turnaround at the Multnomah Falls Lodge. Each turnaround will be signed. Other sections of the Historic Highway will remain open during construction.
Take transit to Multnomah Falls when the viaducts are closed. Parking for Multnomah Falls will be available at I-84 Exit 31. Visit RideCatBus.org or ReadySetGorge.com to find more information about routes, schedules and tickets.
You can sign up for our newsletter to learn more about current traffic impacts on the Gorge Work webpage.
Schedule
Construction will begin in fall 2024 and continue
through spring 2026. Schedule subject to change.