Western Federal Lands Highway Division

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Project Overview

The historic Vista House overlooking the Columbia River Gorge will be closed through January 2013 so workers can restore the Crown Point Viaduct and repave three miles of the Historic Columbia River Highway (Historic Route 30) between Larch Mountain Road and Latourell Falls.

Lane closures began August 2012, as the first step in the year-long project. An October 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013 Vista House closure will coincide with restoration of the 600-foot concrete viaduct which surrounds the historic 1918 building. Work will be done in two phases, the first from August 2012 to January 31, 2013; and the second from April 1, 2013, until completion by late spring 2013.

The Vista House building itself will not be involved in the project as it underwent a five-year restoration, re-opening in 2005.

Driving restrictions on the Historic Columbia River Highway include:

• August 2012: The Historic Columbia River Highway from Larch Mountain Road to Bridal Veil Falls will see periodic weekday lane closures with traffic delays of up to 30 minutes. Vista House will be open. There will be no lane closures from noon Friday to midnight Sunday.
• September 4 to September 30, 2012: The highway from Crown Point to Latourell Falls will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles, including bicycles; the highway from Larch Mountain Road to Crown Point will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet. Vista House will be open.
• October 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013: The highway from Larch Mountain Road to Latourell Falls will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles, including bicycles. The highway from Latourell Falls to Bridal Veil Falls will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet. Vista House will be closed.
• February 1 to April 1, 2013: Infrequent lane closures with specific traffic restrictions yet to be determined. Vista House will be open on its winter schedule.
• April 1, 2013: Tentative start date for the final phase of the project, expected to be completed by late spring 2013. Periodic lane closures with specifics still to be determined. Vista House will be open.

The Crown Point Viaduct is an approximately 600-foot-long concrete structure located on the Historic Columbia River Highway adjacent to Vista House within the boundaries of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The purpose of this structure is to carry the highway around the rock formation at Crown Point which was a serious obstacle to its construction in 1914. It includes a seven-foot-wide sidewalk, a foundation wall along the inside of the viaduct, and 29 support columns.

Nearly one hundred years old, the viaduct structure and retaining walls are deteriorating. If left unrepaired, the structure and walls could fail and have significant safety impacts, as well as result in loss of this historic structure. Without restoring and repairing the viaduct, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) would most likely need to impose weight restrictions for vehicles, which could prevent buses, RVs and other large vehicles from traveling the Historic Columbia River Highway and accessing Crown Point. Restriction of access to the historic highway and Crown Point would have significant adverse affects on the local and regional economy.

While the focus of the project is rehabilitation of the Crown Point Viaduct, the project area includes restoration of portions of Historic Columbia River Highway between Larch Mountain Road and Crown Point and between Crown Point and Latourell Falls. The historic highway is one of only two roads in the United States designated as a National Historic Landmark, a National Scenic Byway, and a National Historic District. Vista House at Crown Point was recently remodeled and no additional improvements to it are proposed as part of the viaduct restoration project.

Crown Point Viaduct Project Elements

The proposed restoration includes:

1. Repair or replacement of viaduct columns and footings and reinforcement of structure edge beams;
2. Repair and strengthening of the bottom of the viaduct deck;
3. Repair of cracks in the top of the viaduct deck and parapet;
4. Restoration of viaduct light fixtures and updating of electrical components;
5. Repair of the masonry retaining wall beneath the viaduct structure and repair of the failing section of roadway;
6. Restoration of the original curb height at the viaduct;
7. Milling of the existing road pavement to reduce edge drop-offs, restoration of the historic gutter and placing a new pavement overlay throughout the limits of the project area;
8. Restoration of guard rocks at three historic wall sites; and
9. Rehabilitation of the rehabilitation of the upper west parking lot at Crown Point.

The viaduct restoration will be designed to maintain the original appearance as much as practical. Due to its historical nature, replacement of the structure is not considered an option because rehabilitation options are available. The rehabilitated structure and retaining walls will have a color and texture similar to the weathered original existing structure to the extent practical.

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