Trail to expand toward dam

The Bureau of Reclamation will open its pedestrian access trail from the bridge at SR-155 to near the Third Powerhouse on April 15, Public Affairs Officer Lynne Brougher said Monday.

The quarter-mile section has been closed for the past 12 years because of security concerns.

Brougher said this will be an interim opening, making it possible to go from the Downriver Trail’s north end to close to the Third Powerhouse.

Brougher said that after some trail improvements are made, “probably by September,” pedestrians will be able to go to within 150 feet of the retaining wall at the Third Powerhouse. She said pedestrians will get some improved access during the interim opening, while improvements to the trail will further lengthen pedestrian access by fall.

The Bureau of Reclamation had announced last November that it was going to consider the opening of that portion of the trail.

The opening is for pedestrian traffic only.

Some signage improvements will also be made on the west side of the river, Brougher stated.