Public Works

Public Works Blog

Local effort results in radar signs being installed at Leavenworth bridge

Posted On: December 27, 2017

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

A group of Leavenworth citizens, concerned about drivers speeding on the Icicle Road bridge, recently pooled its resources together to come up with a community-driven solution.

The group raised nearly $7,000 to purchase two solar-powered radar speed signs that are located at either end of the Cascade Orchards Bridge, the official name of the Icicle Road bridge.

The community group, named the Icicle Road Concerned Citizens, was formed about a year ago to address concerns about the 52-year-old bridge that spans the Wenatchee River and is a gateway to the Enchantment Wilderness Area. The Cascade Orchards Bridge is two lanes wide with a narrow, raised concrete walkway on either side. Among the group’s concerns was that the bridge has blind curves at both ends but no sidewalks leading up to it. The bridge also experiences heavy congestion during the summer recreation months, and the group was concerned that motorists, both local and out-of-town, were speeding over the bridge.

So IRCC reached out to Chelan County Public Works and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. Public works reviewed traffic data in the area and the sheriff’s office set up speed patrols. Together, the county agencies and IRCC worked to come up with a workable and affordable resolution, which pointed toward the installation of the new signs. However, the county’s road budget is used for the preservation of its roads and lacks dedicated funding for safety improvements such as this.  These types of signs would typically be funded by competitive grants.

“Those grant sources are typically used in such heavy pedestrian areas as schools and parks,” said Josh Patrick, assistant director of Chelan County Public Works. “The Cascades Orchards Bridge sign project would have had difficulty attracting any grant-related support.”

That’s where the community group stepped up, raising the funding for the purchase of the signs. Partnering with the IRCC, public works agreed to install and maintain the signs.

Installed in December, the Evolis signs are accompanied by an advisory speed limit of 25 mph and a warning that a narrow bridge is up ahead. As a vehicle approaches, the signs inform drivers how fast they are traveling, shining red for those motorists who are over the speed limit and shining green for those who are at or below the advisory speed.

MaryCarol Nelson, one of the founding members of IRCC, is hopeful the signs will help curb speeding on the bridge.

”We want the signs to make the bridge safer for the drivers and the bikers and the pedestrians – for everyone,” Nelson said.

In the photo: Josh Patrick (left), assistant director of Chelan County Public Works, is pictured with IRCC members MaryCarol Nelson and Alan Whittemore.


Older Articles

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

Posted On: December 20, 2023

Weekend county snowplow operations differ from weekday operations

On the weekends, our five road districts each have one operator working. That operator is going to be focused on main arterials, or those Priority 1 r...

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Passion for ‘big trucks’ drives O’Brien’s career with Public Works

Posted On: March 30, 2023

Passion for ‘big trucks’ drives O’Brien’s career with Public Works

A long-time passion for big trucks steered Donna O’Brien to Chelan County Public Works 14 years ago. While O’Brien is not the first woman at Chelan Co...

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Weight restrictions: They are coming, so be ready!

Posted On: February 08, 2023


Weight restrictions: They are coming, so be ready!

It’s that time of the year again, when the warming temps may bring temporary weight restrictions on county roads. While we don’t have any restrictions...

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Snow removal policies apply even in an emergency

Posted On: January 19, 2022


Snow removal policies apply even in an emergency

Chelan County is clarifying its snow removal policies with the public after receiving calls from frustrated citizens who were not prepared for the sig...

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Post-wildfire safety measures being put in place near 25-Mile Creek

Posted On: November 22, 2021

Post-wildfire safety measures being put in place near 25-Mile Creek

While the wildland firefighters are now gone, that doesn’t mean work on the Twenty-Five Mile Fire is over. Chelan County has been not only evaluating ...

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GIS tech creates emergency incidents map for wildfire response

Posted On: October 01, 2021

GIS tech creates emergency incidents map for wildfire response

Chelan County Public Works GIS technician Lori Beidler will be honored in October by the Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association f...

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CCPW operators respond to cyclist in need of help

Posted On: April 12, 2021


CCPW operators respond to cyclist in need of help

Chelan County Public Works operators Earl Griffith and Curtis McClellan were in the right place at the right time when they came upon a stranded bicyc...

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2021 shaping up to be a busy construction year

Posted On: April 05, 2021


2021 shaping up to be a busy construction year

2021 is shaping up to be an active construction year for Chelan County Public Works. We are headed into the second year of the largest construction pr...

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With river construction comes underwater sound monitoring

Posted On: August 12, 2020

With river construction comes underwater sound monitoring

At the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project, you might get the chance to see an “acoustician” on site when the contractor is driving steel pilings...

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In-water work begins July 15 on West Cashmere Bridge project

Posted On: July 13, 2020

In-water work begins July 15 on West Cashmere Bridge project

With in-water construction related to the West Cashmere Bridge replacement project scheduled to begin July 15, Chelan County reminds recreationists on...

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Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 26
    Apr 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - April 24th, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Entiat and North Wenatchee

    Posted by: Chelan County Assessor

    Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.

    Wenatchee Valley Fire Station No. 11
  • 23
    Apr 2024
    09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Special Election Day - Manson Parks & Recreation District voters only

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Election Day

  • 15
    Apr 2024
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Registration in person at our office

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Registration Deadline in person at our office.