ODOT to cut off Columbia Bank Access

[Scruffy Bearded Varmint]

I am not familiar with this access location, however, I just learned that ODOT filed an application to close Tunnel Point. I understand that it is a popular fishing spot in the Columbia River Gorge and one of the last remaining bank access points for fishing. If you're concerned about this pending closure, you don’t have a lot of time to react. The comment period on the application ends on Feb. 24th. Any one that wants to keep this access open needs to contact ODOT, the ODFW, and your State Representative and Senator now.

[Pete]

Give us some details so we know what we're responding to. Is this an area in the sturgeon sanctuary that will be closed during the spawn? If that's the case, it seems like an appropriate move that was fully discussed in public hearings. I can't see writing a letter without knowing what the location or issues are.

[RiverRogue]

This is a popular boat and bank sturgeon spot at river Channel Marker 64, or river mp 127 approx. This is well below the sanctuary and a better landmark if those landmarks do not help, it is approx. 1.5 miles below Rooster Rock.

[chummer]

It sounds like the location that many of the duck hunters use to access the sloughs above the mouth of the sandy. Probably ought to post this on the hunting board also.

[Bounty Hunter]

Yea we don't want to lose access to this site. Give us more details if you can. Why are they proposing to close it?

[Scruffy Bearded Varmint]

My original post on this was the result of an email forwarded to me from a State Representative. Because this may affect anglers, the Representative wanted us to know about the pending loss of river access.

I don't fish this area so this closure won't affect me, however, I am always concerned when something or someone may reduce our ability to enjoy Oregon's angling opportunities.

Pete's questions caused me to dig a little deeper. Here is what I found out.

Tunnel Point is a small I-84 Scenic Overlook pullout on a curve near Corbett. It can only be accessed from the Westbound lane of I-84. While a few anglers do frequent the area, mostly the pullout is used by truckers looking to catch a few zzzzz's.

From what ODOT told me, the closure is in response to a safety issue. Apparently there is an engineering flaw and I-84 is not banked properly at that point so people keep smacking the guardrail in the immediate area. The closure, while taking away a scenic lookout and immediate bank access to a deep sturgeon hole (80 feet), should improve safety. They intend to redo the pitch of the curve and the guardrail. When they do, the turnout will be gone.

The planning process, because it involves the Scenic Area, requires a lot of permitting, comments, etc. Right now Multnomah County has the ball. If you want to provide any public comment about this project, contact George Plumber at Multnomah County, (503) 958-3043 before February 24, and let your thoughts be known. If you are dead set against the project, contact your Senator and Representatives. If you don't care... go fishing.