Committee Hears Proposal from Sen. Hawkins for Hwy. 2 Study

A proposal to study improvements on U.S. Hwy. 2 across the Cascades from Leavenworth to Monroe is being looked at in the state legislature.

A bill from 12th District Senator Brad Hawkins received strong support from mayors along the corridor in a Senate Transportation Committee meeting this week.

Mayor Russell Wiita of Sultan says upgrades on Hwy. 2 are needed to help with heavy traffic congestion in his area.

"Especially holiday weekends, the commute into Sultan just for folks either passing through or residents trying to get home can take what should be 20 minutes or less to get from Monroe to Sultan upwards of two to three hours," said Wiita.

The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) would conduct the study if the bill passes, and would present a report to lawmakers by December 1.

The report would be required to include a list of improvements for Hwy. 2.

Among the upgrades on the drawing board for the city of Leavenworth are a traffic circle at the intersection of Hwy. 2 and Icicle Road, as well as a pedestrian underpass. Hawkins said the underpass could help with traffic flow during well attended events in the city that often cause lengthy backups on the highway.

Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea told the committee the city faces challenges with the highway as a tourist destination.

"We have over 2 million guests a year that stop in our town," said Florea. "So, not only do we have the issues around a highway, but the issues of a resort."

Florea also said Leavenworth faces safety issues as a mountain town split in half by a major highway.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas joined Florea and Sultan Mayor Wiita in a group that spoke to the committee ahead of mayors from other cities along the corridor.

The bill requires WSDOT to conduct public outreach to communities during the study, including public meetings.

At a minimum, the communities of Wenatchee, Cashmere, Leavenworth, Skykomish, Index, Gold Bar, Sultan, and Monroe must be notified and invited to participate.

WSDOT is also required in the bill to consider solutions from the city of Sultan, which has been hard with traffic congestion, and the Chelan Douglas Transportation Council's Upper Wenatchee Valley Transportation Corridor Study.

WSDOT estimates its Hwy. 2 study would cost $750,000 to complete.