WSDOT Planning 2020 Rock Scaling Project on Highway 97-A

Community Meetings scheduled in Chelan and Entiat to discuss traffic impact

by Dennis Rahm

The Washington State Department of Transportation will hold community Open House meetings later this month in Chelan and Entiat to discuss a loose rock removal project along a section of Hwy. 97-A that is planned for next year. Scaling crews will be contracted to pry loose rocks off the slopes and remove those that could possibly fall onto the roadway.

The project is part of the WSDOT Risk Reduction Program that is designed to scale loose debris and rocks off the slopes above the highway at two locations between Entiat and the intersection with the Navarre Coulee Road and a third small section from the intersection of 97-A and Navarre Coulee Road to Knapps Hill Tunnel. The work will likely start next March, however nesting swallows in the Spring could delay the project until after Labor Day of 2020. It’s anticipated the work will take about four-weeks to complete.

DOT Project Engineer Bob Romine says the purpose of the upcoming open house meetings in Chelan and Entiat is to have an open discussion on how to develop the best possible traffic control plan that suits the needs of the communities.

Bob Romine: What’s the best possible traffic control plan for the communities?

The DOT will be working closely with the Chelan and Entiat communities as well as with Link Transit, school districts and emergency services. The Chelan Open House meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall.

If you can’t make the meeting in person, WSDOT is offering an online open house where comments can be made.