About
How to reach the tunnel
By vehicle: Access a small parking lot from eastbound I-84 at exit 58. Please be aware that parking is very limited with only 18 parking spaces. There is no additional legal parking nearby.
By foot: Walk east from Viento State Park about 2.7 miles on the Historic Highway State Trail and the Wygant Trail (non-ADA accessible). The paved Historic Highway State Trail extends about 2 miles east of Viento State Park and ends. ODOT and Oregon State Parks have created a temporary, pedestrian-only 0.7 mile path from abandoned segments of the original Historic Highway and Wygant Trail. A stream crossing is unimproved. Vehicle parking is available at Viento State Park. ODOT and project partners are working to connect this new tunnel and trail segment to the continuous Historic Highway State Trail from Viento State Park. Construction could begin as early as 2025.
By bike and hike: Bike from Wyeth or Starvation Creek trailheads to Viento State Park. Bicycles can be locked at racks at the east end of the park. Walk from Viento as described above. Bikes are not allowed on the temporary unimproved trail.
History
The original 73-mile route of the Columbia River Highway was the first major paved highway in the Pacific Northwest and the first scenic highway constructed in the United States. The original Mitchell Point Tunnel was its crown jewel.
The original tunnel was built in 1915 and included five arched windows where drivers could experience scenic views of the Columbia River from the highway. The tunnel was closed in 1953 for safety and because it could no longer accommodate growing traffic volumes and increasing car sizes, ultimately being destroyed in 1966 to widen I-84.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel
We received federal funds to design and rebuild the tunnel and connect the Historic Highway State Trail through a formidable mountain at Mitchell Point.
The tunnel is available for non-motorized users hiking and biking on the State Trail. It will mirror the historic tunnel by re-constructing arched windows with views of the Columbia River.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Since 1987, ODOT, Oregon State Parks, and partners have been working to preserve, enhance and reconnect the 73-mile Historic Columbia River Highway. The sections for car-free recreation are called the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Construction on the new tunnel began in 2021, under a Federal Highway’s Western Federal Lands contract led by Crestline Construction based in The Dalles. The project was funded by the Federal Lands Access Program.
In 2023, we celebrated the reconnection of 8 miles of car-free trail from Wyeth State Park to 2 miles east of Viento State Park. In 2025, the new tunnel opened to complete the 1.5-mile trail segment at Mitchell Point. Although most of the trail between Wyeth State Park and Mitchell Point has been built, we still have work to do. There is a 0.7-mile link still needed to connect Viento State Park to Mitchell Point, which is anticipated to begin construction as early as 2025. In the meantime, a pedestrian-only walking path is available using Oregon State Parks’ Wygant trail and a delineated shoulder along I-84, which will be open until construction begins to connect the gap.
On the east side of the tunnel, the final trail segment will extend from Ruthton Point toward Hood River, crossing underneath I-84. The segment is currently in the design phase, with one of four smaller sections funded for construction. Construction of the first phase is anticipated to start in 2026. There is no parking or connection to the tunnel from the east side.
ODOT owns and operates the Historic Columbia River Highway while the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the Historic Highway State Trail (in partnership with ODOT). The Western Federal Lands Highway Division is managing the project during construction.
Location
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H
istoric Columbia River Highway near Interstate 84 milepost 58Cost and Funding
$31 million funded through the Federal Lands Access Program.
Contractor
Crestline Construction
Benefits
The project constructed a 1.5-mile segment of the Historic Highway State Trail at Mitchell Point, which will advance trail construction. The tunnel has five arched windows with expansive views of the Columbia River and a hand placed stone masonry wall on the trail, an 18 car parking lot, plaza with picnic tables, break areas, an overlook, and an expanded restroom at the trailhead.
Additional Information
Over the next several years, we have many construction projects planned on I-84 between I-205 and Hood River, and on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Troutdale and Hood River.
View more information about upcoming work or videos posted to social media about the specialized contractors building the tunnel (Guinett Masonry, LRL Construction, and Schuepbach Builders).
For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.
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