Historic Hood River
East Meets West
Notes
I was recently invited to join ODOT in a tour of the new Mitchell Point Tunnel on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The big news is it is now actually a tunnel, as the two teams of workers have met somewhere near the middle. We were able to walk from one end to the other (655 feet), and look out all five adits (windows) to see the beautiful views which will greet visitors when it is open to the public.
I took many photos myself, but Dr. A. J. Zelada’s photos do a much better job at capturing the moment. He has graciously shared his collection of images from the tour I’ll also share his caption to the photograph above:
The east and west tunnel diggers have shaken hands and given birth to the continuous length of the Mitchell Tunnel. What one instantly realizes is the light that comes in and creates the reminiscent older Mitchell Point tunnel. The curve of the ceilings and tunnels itself are taking shape before our eyes. Each adit is now showing its own personality with the Northerly view of the Columbia and Washington shore/mountain outlines.
There is still work to be done before the tunnel can be opened to the public. The rock walls are very loose material so they must be coated with “shotcrete” to keep the walls from crumbling. Adits need stone railings, portals need to be complete, and of course the roadway needs paving. Construction focus is shifting to the trail which connects the west portal to Viento. The Viento to Mitchell trail and the tunnel itself are scheduled to open in 2023.
Tags: 2020s, Columbia River Highway, construction, Mitchell Point, Mitchell Point Tunnel, tunnel, Zelada
nels
Was surprised to see thtat the new ‘windows’ were road level at their bottom. Wern’t the original ‘windows’ like waist height at their base?
Thanks for the sharing and the geological rock layers map.
James
They will be nels after the stone walls are built…..
Kalley
That will be so exciting to walk that trail through the tunnel. It’s a huge bit of history recreated. It reminds me of when the Mosier Tunnel was reopened to the public.
ArthurB
The adits are similar in shape to the adits in the original tunnel, except they are deeper (longer) since the tunnel is set back further from the outer rock face. This was necessary to find rock that was less fractured.
Bill Seaton
I am really looking forward to when I get the chance to walk that section.
Roger Sheldrake
Friends and myself used to ride our bikes out the powerline trail and sit on top of Mitchel Point. Late 50’s. Good thing Mom didn’t know!!
ArthurB
There is an old trail which connects the spot Roger used to bike to with the west portal of the tunnel. It’s very rough, loose, steep and plenty of poison oak, but I know people who have traversed it. A couple of years ago Oregon State Parks included the trail corridor in their long term management plan, so someone could propose improving the trail in the future.
Kyle
I am beyond excited for this to open.
Jeffrey W Bryant
Another picture of the Mitchel’s Point tunnel
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/169147475