Benson bridge re-opening

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News ReleaseColumbia River Gorge NSA
902 Wasco Ave., Suite 200, Hood River, OR 97031, www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa

May 15, 2014 Contact: Jen Kevil 541-308-1703

Benson Bridge Reopening Ceremony
Hood River – Lynn Burditt, Area Manager of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Forest Service, announced today that the Forest Service will host a reopening ceremony of the iconic Benson Bridge in the lower plaza at Multnomah Falls Friday May 30th at 10:00 a.m. The bridge and surrounding trails will reopen for public use by the start of Memorial Day Weekend, prior to the official reopening ceremony.

“Many people have provided invaluable support to repair and reopen this historic bridge and this is our opportunity to thank them,” said Burditt. “I encourage the public to come out and see the newly repaired bridge and take in the view of the falls.”

Early in the morning on Thursday January 9, 2014, a large rock fell from the surrounding cliffs at Multnomah Falls and damaged the historic pedestrian Benson Bridge. The bridge sustained damage to a 4x4 foot section of the pedestrian bridge and associated railings. The historic Benson Bridge, constructed in 1914, is the iconic concrete arched bridge located above the Lower Multnomah Falls. The Bridge has been closed to the public since the rock fall in January until repairs could be made.

Catworks Construction, a local company from Battle Ground, WA, completed the repairs to the historic structure. They repaired the damage from the rock fall, cleaned the bridge, and applied a new seal coat to the structure that will prevent deterioration from the wet environment in the spray zone of the iconic falls.

The popular Wahkeena to Multnomah Falls hiking loop will be passable upon reopening, as well as the hike to the top of the falls. The Multnomah Falls Lodge and Visitors Center are open and ready for the busy summer season.

The reopening ceremony will be held in the lower plaza at Multnomah Falls at 10:00 on Friday May 30th at 10 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to make the .25-mile short hike up to the bridge after the ceremony to view the restored bridge. Smokey Bear and Field Rangers will be on site to provide interpretive information. For more information, please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa.