Smith from Seattle- Biggs Bridge?

[Jens]

I'm thinking of going to smith several times very soon. I heard a rumor that Seattle folk (like myself) that like to go east and down through Goldendale and then across the Columbia to Biggs can't go that way until summer due to construction. Do I have to go through Portland? Does anyone have any exact details? How long is the detour? With the detour would Portland be the sane choice?

[tradhead]

The detour is either to the Dalles or through the Tri-Cities as I understand. Either way it adds at least an hour, probably more. Was planning to go that way last week myself but the weather in central Oregon was prohibitive.

[godskid5]

would have to take the bridge at the dalles. not sure if their is something east of biggs you could do. portland would work good. either 84 east to dalles, then south. or over mt hood on 26.

[bigwallben]

Jens, it really isn't that big of a deal. I was down there for a couple weeks earlier in the month. At first I was aprehensive regarding the 'detour' through the Dalles; however, I took the highway (197 I believe) just south of the Dalles and still made it to the grasslands in 5 hours. Granted, that was from North Bend.

 

Really wasn't that bad. And, driving the Eastside definitely beats that lovely I-5 section between Olympia and Portland.

 

 

[hemp22]

The detour from 97 west to 197 at the Dalles is like 20-25 miles, but then in OR 197 will just head south and eventually meet back up with 97, so you don't really have to go 20 miles out of the way on both sides of the river.

 

Driving through portland then over 26 could be just as fast if you time it to avoid any traffic.

 

The bridge construction on 97 is supposed to be over May 11.