Description

Thomas/Wright, Inc. was the prime consultant for the design of the reconstruction of the Multnomah Falls Trail head. The reconstruction of the trail head begins at the Multnomah Falls Lodge and extends approximately five hundred feet up to the viewing plaza below the Benson Bridge. The existing trail head was angular concrete stairs which are a tripping hazard.

Safety, aesthetics, minimizing disturbance during construction, and coordination with other projects were the primary goals of the project. The safety of the site was enhanced in several ways. The new path was designed to ADA standards to accommodate wheel chair access to the upper plaza. The path was widened to provide increased capacity to the most visited tourist spot in Oregon. New walls, railings and other design features match the existing Cascadian Architecture theme. Old lights were replaced. Construction was phased over a year’s time to minimize disturbance to visitors to the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area.

The site is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The design protected the historic features of the site. These features include historic rock walls, masonry stone walls, and a masonry stone drinking fountain with a plaque.

The stormwater system includes two bioswales, storm drainage pipe, and trench drains. A Demolition Plan was prepared