Speed limit reduced on section of East Leavenworth Road

LEAVENWORTH —  The speed limit on a section of East Leavenworth Road has been reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph.

During a June 24 meeting, the Chelan County Commissioners unanimously approved the reduction from the intersection of East Leavenworth Road and US-2 (milepost 0) through the S-Bend (milepost 1.19). The rest of the road will remain at 35 mph.

“It’s a common sense, health and safety reason, and I think it’s the right thing to do,” said resident Omar Canty during a public hearing preceding the vote.

Canty’s public comment was one of three presented during the public hearing. All were in support of the change.

“Especially during busy weekends, we do see bypass traffic and we see people race down the road sometimes. This area in the last 15 years has become much more built up…and so it’s becoming much more residential, so I fully support it going to a more residentially paced speed limit,” said Janet Frank during the hearing.

This spring, the Chelan County Engineer completed a speed study along the 3.38-mile long road that was initiated “based on perceived experience and accident history.” The study examined past traffic counts and collision history, as well as roadway geometry and other engineering factors.

The speed limit reduction was recommended, given the narrow characteristics, driveway density, and traffic uses of the milepost 0.0 to milepost 1.19 section of road.

“Enforcement will need to continue given the nature of the accidents involving the local users which would be assumed as knowing the roadway character,” the study stated.

The study found nine out of 14 East Leavenworth Road collisions recorded in the last 5 years were between milepost 0 and milepost 1.19. Out of those nine, speed was the cause or was the probable cause for six of them. According to the study, 9 of the drivers involved in a collision were from Peshastin for Leavenworth, and only one was from outside the Wenatchee Valley.

The speed limit will remain at 35 mph from milepost 1.19 to milepost 3.38, where East Leavenworth Road meets Icicle Road. Given the lower driveway density and gradual curves of this section, a change was not recommended.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media