Historic Hood River
SR 14 Construction?
6-19-2013
Notes
This January 1936 image is part of a group which I think shows the construction of SR14 along the northern shore of the Columbia River just west of Hood River. The existing railroad pathway is being widened and new tunnels are being constructed to allow automobile traffic. The construction of the Columbia River Highway gets all the attention, but SR14 was a pretty impressive engineering feat in its own right.
l.e.
Tunnel # 5.
Do you suppose this construction is taking place because of Bonneville Dam and the Bonneville pool?
The original Northbank Highway was built in the early 1900’s.
I’m wondering if the railroad tracks are also being replaced.
AndrewB
Does anyone know if the original 1900’s north bank hwy went all the way to Vancouver like it does now? Or was it just unconnected sections?
I always thought the road from Bingen east to Lyle etc must be quite old, but west of Bingen it looks newer.
spinsur
I can’t say for sure Andrew, but I seem to recall some road notes and drawings used when surveying in the Stevenson area that predated the current location.
l.e.
Andrew…wikipedia actually has some history about Highway 14:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Route_14
I knew about Highway 8, and often travel portions of it, but I didn’t know about Highway 830. I learned something new.
Longshot
You see several people walking in the picture. The guy on the tracks to the right seems to be walking in a determined manner like he is on his way somewhere distant. Wonder if they are just foot travelers taking the easy way through the tunnels? None appear to be carrying anything.
l.e.
Came across this news item from Jan. 22, 1937 Mt Adams Sun
COOK CUT-OFF WORK STOPPED
The cold weather not only is causing much discomfort to many people without sufficient clothing, but is halting all work on the much-talked-of Cook Underwood, final lap of the Evergreen highway.
"All work was ceased and the camp deserted Tuesday," reports J.E. Crane of Lyle.
About four sections of the tunnel is yet to be completed as well as some more pouring on the bridge crossing the little White Salmon river.
Graveling the surface of the road is completed in some sections with much to do yet.
The road is expected to be ready for use about the first of April, "If everything goes o.k."
Kenn
Until this was completed the route climbed almost to Willard before descending to Underwood. The 1948 flood ended my working at the small "tie mill" at Cooks and living at Carson.