Emergency-route traffic controls to take effect during Village of Lights

LEAVENWORTH — In an effort to enhance public safety during the Village of Lights: Christmastown festival, a number of weekend parking restrictions and road closures will go into effect on Nov. 28, and continue through the first weekend of January.

The festival is expected to bring increased traffic flow and associated parking congestion along narrow roadways, which could potentially decrease emergency services response times in the Leavenworth area. As a result, local, county and state agencies collaborated to identify and designate clear routes for emergency vehicles.

Parking will be prohibited on both sides of the street on Black Friday and all Saturdays for Pine Street (from Fir St. to Ski Hill Dr.), Ski Hill Drive (from Evans St. to Pine St.), Evans Street (from Ski Hill Drive to US-2), Commercial Street (from Division St. to 14th St.), Burke Avenue (from Pine St. to Cedar St.), and Cedar Street (from Pine St. to Fir St.).

9th Street will be closed to traffic from US-2 to Commercial Street in order to maintain access to Cascade Medical. Additionally, motorists will not be able to turn left onto US-2 from 14th Street. The junction of North Road and US-2 will be local access only and traffic controlled. Cedar St. from Pine St. to Fir St. will be one way, with a traffic controller located at Fir St. and Chumstick Highway.

The restrictions will be put in place for six weekends: Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21, Dec. 26-28, and Jan. 2-4.

The temporary restrictions were first implemented last year, in collaboration with the city, Chelan County Fire District #3, Chelan County Public Works, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Emergency Management, Cascade Medical, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. This year’s changes include additional traffic control and local access, the 9th Street road closure, and additional weekends.

Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced; vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense and violators subject to fines. The city also maintains that the restrictions are subject to change. Questions about the restrictions can be directed to hello@cityofleavenworth.com or by calling (509) 888-0812.

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