New Tunnel Being Built as Part of Historic Columbia River Highway

Northeast Oregon Now
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Mitchell Point was the site of an iconic tunnel on the Historic Columbia River Highway with its five arched windows overlooking the Columbia River.

An artist’s rendering of the east entrance to the future Mitchell Point Tunnel. (Image courtesy of ODOT)

Constructed in 1915, the tunnel was closed in 1953 because it could no longer accommodate high traffic volumes and car sizes. It was destroyed in 1966 to widen the water-level highway, now Interstate 84. The historic tunnel was 390-feet long.

Now, construction is underway by the Oregon Department of Transportation for a new 655-foot tunnel with five arched windows at Mitchell Point as part of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.

Mitchell Point is located adjacent I-84 east near Exit 58.