Columbia Slough Trail.JPG

The Columbia Slough Trail opened today.

(Portland Parks & Recreation)

The

Trail opened between North Denver and Vancouver Avenues today,

and the Oregon Department of Transportation announced today.

The paved biking and walking trail is more than a mile long and is a major part of the 40-mile loop trail, parks officials said.

The project cost about $610,000, more than two-thirds of which came from

. Portland Parks & Recreation paid the remaining $150,000. ODOT’s community enhancement advisory board chose the project, one of the department’s seven I-5 Delta Park community enhancements, for its focus on livability improvements.

Bikers and pedestrians can pass under I-5 while looking at birds and other wildlife. Right now, you can access the trail from Vancouver or Denver. The parks bureau also connected the trail to North Schmeer at Whitaker Road. In the future, crews plan to extend the trail to Delta Park.

-- Casey Parks