Open house in Chelan Aug. 14 on plans for future work on US 97A/SR 971

Public input sought in person and online to help develop traffic control plans during rock slope scaling work in 2020

Travelers who regularly use US 97A can help choose the best times for rock slope scaling work during the 2020 construction season. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation is seeking public comment regarding the best time for closures during the much needed work.  Specialized contractors will remove loose rock and debris from the slopes adjacent to US 97A to reduce the risk of it falling onto the highway.

All of this work takes time, during which traffic cannot travel through the work zone.  At the upcoming in person and the online open houses, the public can comment on whether all day or short closures of approximately 30 minutes make more sense for the area.  Longer closures mean more work can be accomplished but with more affect to travel times, and vice versa for shorter duration choices.

US 97A/SR 971 rock slope scaling work in person open houses

When:             4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14

Where:           Chelan City Hall                        

                        135 E Johnson Ave.

When:             4 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20

Where:           Entiat Grange

                        14108 Kinzel St.

Details

During both of the in-person open houses, learn more about the options of closure times when WSDOT crews start working on the rock slope scaling in 2020. Responses received from the open houses will help determine the timing and length of the closures to complete the work. (See below for the four options)

Online open house

Those unable to attend either open house, or who want to review the information and options prior to a meeting, can visit the online open house.

Hyperlinks within the release:

• Rock slope scaling work: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us97a/sr-971/
• Online open house: http://bit.ly/US97ARockRemoval

The four options are:.

1.       Full Road closure from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.  This option would have approximately 10 closure days.

2.       Full Road closure from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a mid-day opening from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  This option would require approximately 14 closure days.

3.       Full Road closure from 8:30 am to 4:30 with three mid-day openings from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm and 2:00 to 2:30 pm.  This option would require approximately 18 closure days.

4.       Full Road Closure from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with 30 minute openings every 20 minutes.  This option would require approximately 33 closure days.

The project is scheduled to go out for contractor bids this winter and they are hoping to have work completed by Memorial Day or start the project after Labor Day.