Detours, delays expected for US-2 starting this week

DRYDEN — Those traveling between Cashmere and Leavenworth should anticipate delays and detours along US-2 as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) begins a series of roadway improvements this week that will continue through the fall.

Johnson Road/Dryden Avenue will remain closed at the intersection with US-2 until noon on June 19 due to signal repairs, said WSDOT officials.Detours will be available through North Dryden Road, Deadman Hill Road, and Stine Hill Road. Highway traffic will travel continuously through the disconnected lights, as north and southbound turns from US-2 at the intersection will not be allowed.

On Wednesday, June 17, WSDOT will have crews working to remove dangerous trees along a mile of US-2 just five miles east of Leavenworth. Single-lane traffic controls, flaggers, slowdowns and delays will occur from milepost 103 to 104 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

From June to October, WSDOT will be repaving a section of US-2 from milepost 104, just outside of the Don Senn Memorial Interchange at the Big Y, to milepost 109, two miles west of Cashmere. According to WSDOT, this section of roadway is due for pavement restoration based on the Washington State Pavement Management System.

Contractors for the project will pave the interchange ramps on the east side of the US-2 and US-97 interchange and both directions of US-2 between mileposts 104 and 109. The project’s scope also includes the installation of permanent signing, pavement markings, shoulder and pavement repair, joint seal, bridge joint seal, bridge repair, signal work, concrete barrier replacement, guardrail replacement, new rumble strips and the sealing of existing shoulders.

Drivers should expect reduced speeds, around-the-clock traffic control, several weeklong road closures near Dryden, and up to three overnight closures of the westbound U.S. 2 off-ramp at milepost 104. Detours will be available, and closure dates will be announced in advance, according to WSDOT.

According to Chelan County officials, the Dryden Transfer Station will not be accessible while the contractor is working on the section of highway where the station’s entrance is located. The Dryden Transfer Station is expected to be closed from about June 29 through July 6, reopening to the public on July 7.

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