Historic Hood River
Mitchell Point Tunnel, circa 2022
Notes
I was recently invited to tour the construction site of the new Mitchell Point Tunnel, which of course reminded me of all the great images Hood River residents took of the original tunnel more than a century ago. This fine image is courtesy of A. J. Zelada, who shared an entire album of images here. This is a view facing east near the east portal, showing light entering through adit #5.
Here’s a view of construction of the original tunnel looking into the eastern portal. The construction techniques described in that post are quite different than what they are doing today. This tunnel is advancing a couple of feet at a time from both ends with a pair of drills boring holes into the rock. The holes are filled with explosives, and once or twice a week a series of blasts reduces the basalt flow to rubble, which is scooped up by diesel powered equipment and removed to be used for fill elsewhere in the project.
This new tunnel is near the old tunnel location, but it’s considerably longer and deeper into the rock. I’ll explain more about where this tunnel is located relative to the original in a later post.
Tags: 2020s, Columbia River Highway, construction, Mitchell Point, Mitchell Point Tunnel, tunnel, Zelada
Arlen L Sheldrake
WOW…..GREAT history Arthur….A.J. did a nice job! Arlen
Bill seaton
I am so looking forward to walking through here when it’s completed.
Jeffrey W Bryant
Hopefully there will be less rockfall than the old tunnel after it is done.
nels
I keep wondering where all those bikers and hikers are going to stay when they get to HR. That trail is going to be a major magnet since it has the beautiful scenery but without elevation gain. Cascade Locks should benefit enormously since it will be the first services off trail coming east.
Arlen L Sheldrake
Arthur….who is A.J. Zelada? he sure put together a nice visual update…hope he continues and does another in a month or two.
Bill…..we will do it !!