Public Works

Traffic Alerts and Restrictions

 

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS

Current List of Road & Bridge Restrictions (updated Nov. 5, 2025)

ROAD ALERT: Horse Lake Road in Wenatchee has been closed early for the winter season. Horse Lake Road is closed from Dec. 1 through April 1 every year because of concerns for protecting the dirt roadway. Weather conditions may prompt early or extended closures of the road.

CLOSURES COMING: Oklahoma Gulch Road near Entiat and Mountain Home Road in Leavenworth are scheduled to close on Dec. 1.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Snowmelt and runoff can soften roadways, potentially leading to costly damages. Temporary weight restrictions are put in place annually to protect the roadways from damage. (Typically, weight restrictions are posted in late winter/early spring and can run into June.)

Emergency vehicles, school buses or vehicles with a gross weight of 34,000 pounds or less are exempt. All other vehicles must possess a special county permit.

Haulers are reminded that permit applications must be in by 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday for approval the following day. (If you need a permit on a Monday, the application must be in by 10 a.m. the previous Thursday.) Freight haulers who do not have a permit to travel on a weight-restricted road risk a fine and the cost of damages for any road repairs. Display the permit in the lower right-hand corner of your vehicle's windshield.

To keep up on seasonal weight restrictions and roads that are under weight restrictions, watch the above Current Restrictions information, where the list of restricted roads and an interactive map are updated routinely.

The county allows ATVs/ORVs on all county roads posted for 35 mph or less, unless a road has been exempted. (Downie Road is exempted.) Vehicles must obey the speed limit. There is an online map for ATV/ORV roads. More details, including a list of the roads open to ATVs and ORVs, are in County Code Chapter 9.38.

The list of roads open to snowmobile traffic annually from Nov. 15 through March 15 are listed in County Code Chapter 9.40. Oklahoma Gulch Road near Entiat is permanently closed to snowmobile traffic. 

During the winter, the recurring periods of freezing and thawing can damage unpaved portions of county roads. Roads also may need to be closed to protect wintering herds of mule deer. The county temporarily closes three roads annually to general traffic for these two reasons (County Code Chapter 8.34). They are:

  • Horse Lake Road in Wenatchee (milepost 1.00 to 3.49): Closed Dec. 1 through April 1
  • Oklahoma Gulch Road near Entiat (milepost 0 to 3.95): Closed Dec. 1 through April 1
  • Burch Mountain Road in Wenatchee (milepost 1.12 to 7.48): Closed Feb. 15 through March 31

Chelan County has five railroad underpasses. They are located in the Leavenworth and Peshastin area. They are:

Chumstick Highway (milepost 1.83, north of Freund Canyon Road): 15 feet, 3 inches

Chumstick Highway (milepost 6.22, north of Clark Canyon Road): 14 feet, 2 inches

Chumstick Highway (milepost 8.30, south of Merry Canyon Road): 18 feet, 3 inches

Main Street in Peshastin (milepost 4.11): 15 feet, 1 inch

North Road (milepost 0.30): 14 feet, 1 inch

Posted: 11/06/2014 10:11 AM
Last Updated: 11/05/2025 02:40 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 06
    Dec 2025
    09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - Dec. 6, 2025

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Drop-off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is Dec. 6.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 25
    Nov 2025
    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
  • 25
    Nov 2025
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    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
  • 19
    Nov 2025
    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
  • 13
    Nov 2025
    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