Public Works

Traffic Alerts and Restrictions

Current Restrictions:

Current List of Road & Bridge Restrictions in Chelan County  (Updated 8:50 a.m. on Mar. 21, 2024)

Temporary Weight Restrictions: Temporary weight restrictions are in place on some Chelan County roads. For a list of those roads, see the link to the PDF above. Weight restrictions can change or be updated daily. If you are a hauler, check this page frequently until the weight restrictions come off.

Seasonal snowmelt and runoff can soften roadways, potentially leading to costly damages. Temporary weight restrictions are put in place annually to protect the roadways from such damage. Only emergency vehicles, school buses or vehicles possessing a special permit issued by the County Engineer are exempt. Vehicles with a gross weight of 34,000 pounds or less do not need to get a permit. However, we do ask all drivers stay off the road shoulder.

Freight haulers are asked to watch for the posting of weight restriction signs on county roadways as well as this webpage. The free permit must be handed in by 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday prior to the day that haulers will travel. (If you must travel on a Monday, the permit must be received by the Thursday prior.)

Haulers are encouraged to send the permit application via email to public.works@co.chelan.wa.us or fax (509-667-6250). We prefer email. Call the office (509-667-6415) if you have questions.

Seasonal Road Closures: Horselake Road in Wenatchee (milepost 1.0 to 3.49) and Burch Mountain Road in Wenatchee (milepost 1.12 to 7.48) are closed for the winter season. The roads will re-open on April 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

During wildfire season, county commissioners can designate an area in the county as a fire hazard area. That means restrictions have been put on travel and activities in that area. The restrictions are based on the level of fire danger that’s posted: moderate, high, very high or extreme. The road sign will say what level of restriction is in place. Chelan County Code Chapter 7.52 goes into detail about the restrictions. In relation to the travel restrictions (Chapter 7.52.030), they are:

MODERATE: Drivers cannot operate any motor vehicle, including ATVs and ORVs, off a county roadway.

HIGH AND VERY HIGH: Includes Moderate Restrictions and also restricts travel on a county road, except for the following:

                              Residents living on the roadway and their guests or visitors

                              Landowners and leaseholders accessing land to perform work to protect property

                              Authorized and official business (deliveries, utility work, etc.)

                              People using the roadway to access open public lands for recreation

EXTREME: Includes Moderate, High and Very High restrictions. In addition, barricades are placed at the intersection of some county roads to alert residents to the conditions. The impacted roads will be listed on this webpage under Current Restrictions. The road is open to local access only.  That means it is open to:

                 Residents living on the roadway and their guests or visitors

                              Landowners and leaseholders accessing land to perform work to protect property

                              Authorized and official business (deliveries, utility work, etc.)

                              People using the roadway to access open public lands for recreation

For activity restrictions, including outdoor fires, visit Chelan County Code Chapter 7.52.040.

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: 03/22/2024 12:20 PM

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.