Public Works
Public Works Blog
2021 shaping up to be a busy construction year
Posted On: April 05, 2021
(Photo above: This summer, a bridge will be built on South Lakeshore Road at Slide Ridge to better convey the debris, mud and rock that frequently comes off of the slide-prone area during heavy rainstorms.)
The year 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 project Chelan County government has ever seen (that’s the new $25.5 million West Cashmere Bridge) and this summer marks the start of a unique flood mitigation project on Lake Chelan. Add our annual chip sealing program on top of our planned projects, and you’ve got the makings for a busy construction year.
Here are some standout county projects that will impact traffic this summer:
West Cashmere Bridge Replacement Project in Cashmere: Construction on both sides of the project is in full swing. On the south side of the project at Goodwin Road, the contractor is building the fourth and final pier that will make up the substructure of the future bridge. On the north side at Hay Canyon road, the contractor is building a roundabout that will create a five-legged intersection that allows for continuous movement there. This May, watch for the large, steel girders to be set, and with that will come a few weeks of travel impacts on Highway 2 in the project area, including lane changes and speed reductions. The new bridge is slated to be open by end of year.
Slide Ridge Retrofit Project at Lake Chelan: Construction begins this summer on a single-span bridge that will be built on South Lakeshore Road at the site of Slide Ridge. The 108-foot long bridge will replace two large culverts that at times have been blocked with debris, mud and rock that was violently discharged from Slide Ridge following rainstorms. During construction a detour route will be established around the construction site on the unpaved, one-lane bypass lane that currently runs adjacent to Slide ridge. An unmanned traffic light may be used to direct traffic. Construction should take about six months.
Mission Creek Road Improvement Project in Cashmere: Construction begins in July on a 2.42-mile stretch of Mission Creek Road. The project starts near Coates Road and goes to milepost 5. The project will not only rehabilitate the roadway but also replace deficient guardrail and existing road signage and institute other safety improvements. During construction, the road will be at one lane, with flaggers and a pilot car directing traffic. There will be road delays, so best to avoid the road during construction unless you live on it.
Countywide Signing and Terminal Barrier Improvements: These road safety projects involve installing curve warning signs on portions of Manson Boulevard and South Lakeshore, Wapato Lake, Boyd and Entiat River roads. The county also will upgrade guardrail and concrete barrier terminals on portions of the Malaga-Alcoa Highway, Wenatchee Heights Road, Chumstick Highway, Boyd Road and Manson Boulevard. Traffic impacts at times may include flagger-directed traffic and minor traffic delays in the work areas.
Antoine Creek Culvert Replacement in Chelan: A contractor will upsize three culverts that run adjacent to Antoine Creek Road. The new, larger box culverts will allow for increased water flows and for debris to pass during larger runoff events, minimizing post-wildfire flooding frequency. Construction begins this spring and will take 15 working days. During construction, motorists will see flagger-controlled traffic. During nonworking hours, a detour will route traffic around the work area.
Countywide Pavement Preservation Program: The chip-sealing season in Chelan County typically starts before Memorial Day and ends just after Labor Day. It usually takes less than one day per road; however, the process includes crack sealing, pre-leveling and chip sealing. So if your county road is on the list to be chip sealed, you will see crews on your road multiple times this season. Motorists should expect travel delays during both the pre-level and chip-sealing processes. Expect to see one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic with up to 20-minute delays. For a list of the roads scheduled for chip sealing this year, visit our Pavement Preservation Program webpage.
Need more information?
Sign up to receive project updates, including construction start dates, on our listserv.
Visit our Capital Projects page for a list of our ongoing projects.
Or watch our Facebook page for updates.
Older Articles
Local effort results in radar signs being installed at Leavenworth bridge
Posted On: December 27, 2017
A group of Leavenworth citizens, concerned about drivers speeding on the Icicle Road bridge, recently pooled its resources together to come up with a ...
Read More arrow_forwardHelping out your county snowplow operators this winter
Posted On: December 06, 2017
While snowplow operators are working hard to keep people safe on county roads, they need a little help from the traveling public. We’re passing along ...
Read More arrow_forwardSpeed Limits 101
Posted On: December 06, 2017
A common call we get at Chelan County Public Works is from frustrated residents who want to know what they can do about motorists driving over the spe...
Read More arrow_forwardPublic Works Equipment Roadeo winners headed to state competition
Posted On: September 27, 2017
Four Chelan County Public Works employees will represent the county when they compete next month for state honors at the Equipment Roadeo, an event of...
Read More arrow_forwardWho ya gonna call?
Posted On: July 24, 2017
Standing in Clear Creek recently with a portable charger strapped to his back, Gray Rand looked like he was searching for ghosts. But this senior scie...
Read More arrow_forwardSummer means it's road preservation time
Posted On: June 22, 2017
Have you checked the Public Works website to see which roads are scheduled for preservation – or chip sealing – work this summer? ...
Read More arrow_forwardWhat's a Small Quantity Generator?
Posted On: May 30, 2017
It's time for all Chelan County SQGs to register for the September household hazardous waste collection event. Register by Sept. 8....
Read More arrow_forwardFree mulch available at Chelan Transfer Station
Posted On: April 07, 2017
The brush yard at the Chelan Transfer Station has a HUGE surplus of mulch that it's offering up for free to local residents....
Read More arrow_forward5 tips to remember when visiting a drop-off recycling center
Posted On: March 24, 2017
We asked Chelan County Solid Waste Coordinator Brenda Blanchfield to share the most common mistakes solid waste crews see over and over again at drop-...
Read More arrow_forwardCounty crews on pothole patrol
Posted On: March 22, 2017
Spring means it's pothole patrol time. Learn how potholes form and how to report them to Chelan County Public Works....
Read More arrow_forward