US 2 Upper Valley Transportation Study Results to be Shared at Community Meeting

Over the course of 18 months, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, city of Leavenworth, Chelan County, the Washington State Department of Transportation and Link Transit have been studying how to improve mobility along US 2. The entities zeroed in on traffic crunch between Coles Corner and Cashmere and are ready to share the results at a community meeting at Cascade High School on February 13, 5:30-7:30.

"When we started this study, the whole goal was to see what could be done about traffic through Leavenworth," said Jeff Wilkens, director. "We're looking at safety, emergency services, bicycling. The key question is can we fix the traffic on the weekends when it's bad, when it's a big, festival weekend?"

The short answer to that million dollar question many Leavenworth residents have posed themselves is - no, there's no end all solution. The study did look at many solutions that have been suggested over the years such as a Leavenworth bypass and four laning the highway. The community meeting will present what was found during those studies and why these ideas are not optimal.

"The real, important takeaway, basically no there's no big silver bullet fix for those problems," said Wilkens.

However the 18 month project did produce recommendations and designs, such as extending right turn lanes, improving emergency vehicle access and a roundabout at Icicle Junction intersection.

"We would love for people to show up and take a look at the results, talk with us, ask us questions," said Wilkens.

For those with a conflicting schedule and can't make it, beginning February 6, folks can review the recommendations here.