Road Construction & Maintenance Update: Week of Nov. 9

Information released by Chelan County Public Works

Before the snow flies, Chelan County Public Works is cautioning the public that while the department’s snowplow operators will be hard at work this winter, impacts from COVID-19 may get in the way of snow and ice control at times. And if that happens, snowplowing efforts may be hindered.

Safeguards, such as masking and keeping operators to their individual trucks, are in place. But even one plow operator down may mean a route is not cleared as quickly as normal, said Brad Harn, road superintendent for Chelan County Public Works.

“What this year has taught us is that 2020 is full of surprises,” Harn said. “We will continue to follow COVID precautions, including masking, social distancing and sanitizing equipment, but there may be times when our road crews are short-staffed this winter because employees are sick or in quarantine.”

Public works maintains about 600 miles of county roads in five road districts. First priority roads include bus routes and major arterials, while second priority routes include minor and collector roads. Snowplow priority routes are available online.

Harn asked that the public have patience this snow season if staffing becomes limited.

“Crews will try their hardest to maintain some semblance of routine,” he said. “Highest on our priorities is the safety of our operators and the public.”

In the meantime, the public can brush up on Chelan County snow removal policies and guidelines on the Public Works website. And to help out your local snowplow driver, follow these tips:

  • Remove any vehicles, RVs and trailers from the shoulder of the roadway now. Don’t wait until the first snowstorm, when vehicles in the county right-of-way will hinder snowplowing efforts.
  • Keep other obstacles, such as garbage cans, out of the street. Weather can change quickly in North Central Washington and snow overnight means plows will be out early in the morning.
  • And do not shovel snow from your driveway into the roadway. Not only is it against county code, but it can create an obstruction for the county plow and the traveling public.

To minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 to staff and the public, Chelan County Public Works is open by appointment only. Call 509-667-6415 for an appointment.

Road District Maintenance

Maintenance plans may change with weather conditions or equipment difficulties. Visit the Public Works website, where the weekly road maintenance information is regularly updated.

District 1 (Wenatchee): Crews will be doing winter prep work across the district.

District 2 (Cashmere): Crews will be grading in Olalla and Jude canyons, weather permitting. Grading will require one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic. Plan for minor traffic delays. The crew also will be doing winter prep work.

District 3 (Leavenworth): The crew will be digging out behind barriers at milepost 2 on River Road and cleaning out ditches at milepost 12 on Chumstick Highway. Both areas will require flagger-controlled traffic, with traffic at one lane. Plan for minor traffic delays if you are in these areas. The crew also will be mowing brush across the district and doing other winter prep work.

District 4: (Entiat): Crews will be hauling materials out of the Mud Creek Road yard and fixing a shoulder at milepost 3 on Entiat River Road.

District 5: (Chelan): Crews will be doing shoulder stabilization work in the Boyd area: Ivan Morse, Upper Joe Creek, Lower Joe Creek, Cooper Mountain and Swanson Gulch roads. Motorists will see one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic in the work areas. Plan for minor traffic delays. The crew also will be spot grading primitive roads (minor delays in the work zones) and cutting brush across the district, as time allows.