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The west bench, pictured above, of the Mitchell Point Tunnel required some redesign and delayed the opening until this fall.

 Photo courtesy ODOT

THE GORGE — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Projects Manager Terra Lingley told Columbia Gorge News that the Mitchell Point Tunnel, previously scheduled for opening in June, has been delayed after a section of the trailhead required redesign. Lingley said there were issues with the west bench — a long, relatively narrow strip of level or gently inclined land that is bounded by slopes above and below it.

A section between the parking lot and tunnel entrance “required redesign” and “modified construction in certain areas,” according to Lingley.