Delays, closures coming to Chumstick Highway

LEAVENWORTH — Slowdowns, closures and delays are expected on Chumstick Highway as several state and county projects begin Sept. 28.

Starting at 6 a.m., a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) contractor will resume repaving several sections of highway that were damaged as a result of the detour during the 2025 December flood event.

Simultaneously, Chelan County Public Works will begin the Beaver Hill retaining wall project at the hairpin turn on Chumstick Highway near Plain. The project, located between mileposts 12-13, requires a full three-week closure at the work site. The speed limit will be lowered to 25 mph about a mile before either side of the project area. There will be detour routes on either side of the closure, according to the county.

According to Chelan County, the WSDOT contractor will start repaving near milepost 6.5 and work west. Crews will stop at milepost 12, where the Beaver Hill project is occurring, and resume work at milepost 13. Repaving will continue west toward the intersection of State Route 207 and Chumstick Highway.

County crews will also be installing about three driveway culverts on Chumstick Highway between Merry Canyon Road and Little Chumstick Road. Travelers can expect one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic with minor delays. Project completion is necessary before the rainy season begins to prevent drainage issues, according to the county.