Mitchell Point Groundbreaking Video

Let's celebrate the groundbreaking of the Mitchell Point Tunnel project!
In 1915, the original Mitchell Point Tunnel was part of the Historic Columbia River Highway. Its five arched windows became an iconic view.
In 1953, we closed and filled in the tunnel and I-84 construction in 1966 destroyed it.
In 1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed and motivated the Oregon State Legislature to commit to restore the entire Historic Highway to its glory days of the 1920s. An effort is underway to restore all 73 miles from Troutdale to The Dalles. Some segments are accessible to cars and people riding bikes. Some segments, known as the Historic Highway State Trail, will be accessible only by people walking, rolling or biking.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel is one of three trail segments yet to be connected. To the west, we anticipate another trail segment beginning construction in 2022, which leaves one 1.6 mile segment remaining.