The Federal Highway Administration has formally issued its approval of the National Environmental Policy Act review process for the proposed new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge. The Record of Decision documents the selected bridge alternative, and confirms that anticipated environmental impacts, mitigation commitments, and public and tribal input have been fully reviewed under federal law. It enables the project to move into final design, permitting, right-of-way actions, and construction procurement, while recording required environmental, cultural, and tribal mitigation commitments, paving the way for federal funding to be obligated to the project. The $1.12 billion project has a pending $532 million request to the federal Bridge Investment Program to complete the financial stack to move into construction. Bridge Authority co-chair Mike Fox called the approval “a pivotal moment for our region.” With the Record of Decision secured, the bridge project team—led by HNTB and Kiewit Infrastructure West—will continue working toward final design and securing permits and approvals. Once full funding is secured, construction is expected to take approximately four years, with the new bridge slated to open in 2031.
Author: mbailey
Mariposa Village Construction On Schedule
Work on the Mariposa Village affordable housing development off Rand Road in Hood River is on schedule. Mid-Columbia Housing Authority and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Executive Director Karen Long says they are on track for the first phase of the 130-unit project this summer, with the second phase of units ready in January 2027. The project is targeted to families earning 60 percent or less of the annual median income in the area. Mid-Columbia Housing Authority recently received funding to build 76 affordable housing units on Chenwoith Loop Road in The Dalles, 20 of which will be reserved for veterans. Long said construction is currently targeted to begin in late summer of 2026, and will take about 18 months to complete.
The Link Offers Annual Dial-A-Ride Pass
The Link Public Transit announced it will offer an annual $80 Dial-A-Ride pass for unlimited Dial-A-Ride service within Northern Wasco County, including The Dalles, Mosier, and Dufur, starting December 1. The agency said the pass is open to all riders, and is especially beneficial for seniors and people with disabilities. Riders are encouraged to book at least one day in advance, with the rides available on a first-come, first-served basis. The pass will also act as a regular GorgePass to ride all fixed-route services provided by The Link, Columbia Area Transit, Mt. Adams Transportation Services, and Skamania County Transit.
HR County Commission Talks Courthouse Costs
The Hood River County Commission decided to move forward with seeking reimbursement of $120,000 from an Association of Oregon Counties/Oregon Judicial Department task force and 100 percent of the cost of other design work for replacement of the County Courthouse, while at the same time seeking changes to state polices to make it more affordable for small counties to build what is required for modern courthouses. That after learning from a County task force working on the project that as it stands now, it would take a 30-year bond measure with a property tax rate of $1.80 per $1,000 of assessed value to cover the local cost of a new courthouse. The Commission felt that wasn’t a realistic ask of the citizenry. County Administrator Allison Williams said they will continue with trying to push the statewide conversation about how courthouses are paid for, and the need for the state to pick up a larger share. The County will also be putting together an estimated $1,000,000 request to the state for critical infrastructure needs at the current courthouse.
WS School Board Approves Bond Measure Resolution
The White Salmon Valley School District Board approved a resolution to put a bond measure on the February 10 ballot to build a K-12 campus on the current location of Henkle Middle School, Stevenson Intermediate School, and Columbia High School. The campus is a recommendation of a facilities planning committee as it looked at options for replacing the aging Whitson Elementary School. District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says the bond measure will have a property tax rate of $1.66 per $1,000 of assessed property value over 20 years. The district board also approved a resolution to place on the same ballot a renewal of its three-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy at an estimated rate of $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The Dalles Chamber Celebrates Pink Friday
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating Pink Friday this week. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says Pink Friday was created a few years ago to help small women-owned businesses by shopping them before Black Friday the following week, and it has morphed into awareness of all small businesses. Farquharson is once again emphasizing the importance of the holiday season for small businesses in the community. She noted that Shop Small Saturday will be taking place on November 29, the day after Black Friday.
Sheriff Gives Status Report To Hood River County Commission
Hood River County Sheriff Matt English gave an over one-hour presentation to County Commissioners about the status of his department, from staffing to budgetary concerns. English told the Commission they continue to see substantial increases in calls for service, about 20% over the last decade. He pointed out a basic difference between his department and others in the County: the Sheriff’s Office is a 24/7 operation, while others operate on a 40-hour work week. He said right now the department has only ten of 13 deputy positions filled, and the staffing is actually lower than that with injuries, illness, and military leave adding to the scheduling difficulties. And he pointed out filling positions takes time, usually one year from hiring to finishing training.
Rowena Fire Cleanup Right-Of-Entry Permit Packages Available
As Wasco County and the state of Oregon continue to seek funding for a streamlined, no-cost debris removal program for properties affected by the Rowena Fire, Opt-In/Right of Entry Permit Packages are being distributed to those who choose to participate in the free program. The Opt-In/Right of Entry permit grants Wasco County and its designated contractor permission to access your property to perform the cleanup, which includes removing ash, burned structures, and other fire-generated waste. As a condition of the permit, there is and “Assignment of Rights/Claims” form, assigning to the State of Oregon your rights against any potentially liable third party for damages, to the extent of the actual cost of the debris removal. This does not assign your rights to make claims for other costs or cleanup activities not part of this contract. There are additional pages to collect information about your property, such as the location of basements, septic tanks, and any vehicles/boats you want removed. The permit forms must be completed by next Monday to take part in the Phase 2 Debris Removal Program. The forms are available through wascocounty.org. This is a voluntary program. Those who have questions or require assistance with filling out the forms should contact a Recovery Coordinator as soon as possible at (541) 298-5131 Ext. 200.
Hood River Warming Shelter Opens
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council opened the 24-bed Hood River Warming Shelter on 1733 Oak Street Monday morning. The Hood River Shelter is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is open throughout the winter season until March 2026. Warming Shelter placements are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there is not a waitlist. Shelter guest intakes take place from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. on weekdays throughout the season, as bed availability allows. Wraparound services for each client are engaged after initial intake paperwork is completed. Warming supplies are available at MCCAC offices weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mid-Columbia Community Action offices are at The Gloria Center on 2505 West 7th in The Dalles and on 606 State Street, Suite 1B, in Hood River. MCCAC will operate an emergency shelter at The Gloria Center in The Dalles during severe weather events, as staffing and volunteer capacity allows.
Port of HR Planning Session Tuesday
The Port of Hood River Commission will hold its semi-annual planning worksession on Tuesday. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says they have a lengthy list of topics to discuss. Greenwood says the panel is looking at developing aspects of the Port that have been underdeveloped. He added there will be discussion on best use of the $3.4 million the Port will generate from the sale of eleven acres at Lower Hanel Mill to Amazon. That sale is not yet final, and is currently in a due diligence phase. The planning worksession will begin around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the Port of Hood River offices, immediately following a planned executive session at 1:30 p.m.