Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help Leavenworth area residents and visitors for the upcoming Village of Lights’ Christmastown festival and general holiday season travel, below is a collection of traffic-related questions and answers.

Please advise what time the left turn from North Road onto Chumstick Hwy will take effect so we can all plan accordingly if possible and what type of signage you will have.

(11/26 at 3:04 PM) On North Rd (westbound), it is anticipated that there will be “flagger ahead” signage as you near the Chumstick intersection. At the intersection of Chumstick Highway and North Road, it is anticipated that the left-hand turn lane will be blocked in some fashion with a “no left-turn” sign; a “right-turn only” sign will also present. Additional signage directly across Chumstick Highway is planned as well. Please note a flagger will be present at this intersection. A reminder that traffic revisions and signage placement are subject to change at any time.

(11/22 at 10:01 AM) The temporary turn restriction on North Road and Chumstick Highway will be in place from approximately 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on the following days: Friday, Nov. 29; Saturday, Nov. 30; Saturday, Dec. 7; Saturday, Dec. 14; Saturday, Dec. 21; and Saturday, Dec. 28.

While we don’t have the specific signage details, it is anticipated that a flagger will be at the intersection of North Road and Chumstick Highway to assist in directing traffic. Please know that times, dates, and traffic revisions are subject to change.

Any idea what the signage will be at the Peshastin Bridge and the North Road/Chumstick Highway intersection?

(11/26 at 11:41 AM) On North Rd (westbound), it is anticipated that there will be “flagger ahead” signage as you near the Chumstick intersection. At the intersection of Chumstick Highway and North Road, it is anticipated that the left-hand turn lane will be blocked in some fashion with a “no left-turn” sign; a “right-turn only” sign will also be present. Additional signage directly across Chumstick Highway is planned as well. Please note a flagger will be present at this intersection. It is anticipated that a message board will be present on US Highway 2 after the Big Y intersection alerting drivers to stay on US 2 to access Leavenworth. Signage will be placed on Main Street (before School Street) in Peshastin, notifying drivers there is “no Leavenworth access via North Road.” A reminder that traffic revisions and signage placement are subject to change at any time.

(11/22 at 12:39 PM) We do not have the specific signage details at this time.

Will County Shop Road be accessible onto the Chumstick? Apparently, this is a road locals know about and could be a way to avoid the left turn situation.

(Update 11/26 at 11:53 AM) It is anticipated that County Shop Road will be restricted to local access only from 12 PM – 7 PM (approximately) on the oultined dates below.

Friday, Nov. 29, 2024
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024

Please note that traffic restrictions (i.e., dates, times, locations, etc.,) are subject to change at any time.

Will the Peshastin Bridge or the Chumstick Hwy/North Rd intersection be manned with traffic management?

(11/22 at 12:42 PM) At this time, a flagger is not anticipated at the US Hwy 2 and Peshastin Bridge intersection. A flagger will be stationed at the temporary “no left-turn” restriction at the North Road and Chumstick Hwy intersection. Please note that traffic restrictions (i.e., dates, times, locations, etc.,) are subject to change at any time.

If someone is staying on North Road in a short-term rental (STR), is there signage on that road somewhere telling them about the no-left turn or directing them to go back out to the Peshastin Bridge and turn right?

(11/22 at 12:43 PM) No additional signage along North Road is planned at this time. However, a WSDOT travel advisory will be in place. Please note that traffic restrictions (i.e., dates, times, locations, etc.) are subject to change at any time.

I would like to know if the City of Leavenworth is working with WSP, DOT and the CC Sheriff to place a sign or reader board at the intersection of Highway 2 and Main Street in Peshastin to inform people who try to use North Road as a "short-cut" to avoid the Hwy 2 traffic during the lighting festival, that they can't make a left turn from North Road onto Chumstick Road.

(11/26 at 11:41 AM) Yes, the City of Leavenworth, Washington State Patrol, WSDOT, Chelan County, and other partner agencies are coordinating efforts on these temporary traffic revisions and related signage.

It is anticipated that a message board will be present on US Highway 2 after the Big Y intersection alerting drivers to stay on US 2 to access Leavenworth. Signage will be placed on Main Street (before School Street) in Peshastin, notifying drivers there is “no Leavenworth access via North Road.” A reminder that traffic revisions and signage placement are subject to change at any time.

I’m confused, so the free lots will be paid all through December or only on weekends? What if we are using the library?

(11/30 at 8:25 PM) Enchantments and Freund are free parking lots with a 3-hour time limit and reserved stalls (i.e., library patrons, city hall staff, etc.). On the weekends during the Christmastown festival, these lots become pay lots for local fundraisers. If you are a library patron, park in the assigned library stalls and snag a dash pass from the library. Please note that dates, times, and locations for local fundraising efforts are subject to vary and/or change. Feel free to reach out with any additional questions!

I have heard the city installed disabled parking stalls. Can you tell me where those stalls are located & how to access them?

(11/30 at 8:28 PM) Persons possessing a valid disabled parking placard may park FREE of charge in any regular on-street parking spaces. Please note that a disabled permit does not allow the permit owner to use loading zones, spaces reserved for certain users (see stall signage), parking in No-Parking areas, or allow parking in drop-off areas longer than posted limits.

+ There are 3 designated ADA stalls near 1001 Front Street (next to the Festhalle).

For persons with a valid disabled parking placard or license plate, FREE parking is provided in city-owned parking lots in designated disabled stalls, only.

+ (A) Aasgard; 1000 Front Street (off US Hwy 2); 4 ADA Stalls

+ (C) Colchuck, 1001 Front St (next to Festhalle); 2 ADA Stalls

+ (D) Dragontail, 700 US Hwy 2 (next to WaFed); 2 ADA Stalls

+ (G) Glacier; 170 US Hwy 2; 6 ADA Stalls

+ (E) Enchantments, 700 US Hwy 2 (behind City Hall; 2 ADA Stalls

+ (F) Freund, 694 US Hwy 2 (next to Pool); 3 ADA Stalls

Link Transit’s Park-and-Rides also provides designated ADA parking. All of their transit vehicles are accessible as well!

+ Leavenworth, 990 US Hwy 2 (next to USFS); 2 ADA Stalls

+ Wilkommen, 200 Ward Strasse (behind Safeway); 2 ADA Stalls

Vehicles with a valid disabled placard or license plate must comply with on-street and parking lot limitations as stated on signs (e.g., no overnight parking or camping).

Please note that the lists above are provided for convenience but do not necessarily include all ADA parking stalls available in the downtown Leavenworth area.

Why is there no longer parking for RV's?

(11/30 at 8:28 PM) To learn more about RV parking in Leavenworth, check out this nifty online list: cityofleavenworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RV-Parking-near-Leavenworth-WA-2024.

It would be great to have bleachers again so spectators can sit and watch the performers on the Gazebo. Any chance that is happening soon?

(11/30 at 8:29 PM) With the Front Street Pedestrian Plaza project underway, it is anticipated that new seating will be incorporated into the final design and finished product. In the meantime, your bleacher inquiry will be passed along to City and/or Chamber staff for consideration! Thank you for reaching out.

How far of a walk is it from Icicle Rd to Safeway if we miss the last bus?

(11/30 at 8:30 PM) Depending on your stride, it would be about a 40-minute walk from the roundabout junction on Icicle Road to the Wilkommen Park-and-Ride on Ward Strasse.

So can we turn right onto Chumstick coming from Wenatchee?

(11/30 at 8:31 PM) Yes, you can turn right (or left) onto Chumstick Hwy from US Hwy 2. At this time, the temporary turn restriction is for North Road’s westbound traffic onto the Chumstick Hwy (i.e., no left turn from 10 AM to 8 PM for the next five Saturdays).

The parking in the lot behind this sign pictured is free and you can’t be towed from it, correct? (Obviously excluding long term parking situations)

(11/30 at 8:31 PM) Yes, the lot in the picture (i.e., Wilkommen Park-and-Ride) is free parking. You may be towed if you’re in violation of Link Transit’s park-and-ride rules. Visit www.linktransit.com/ or call them directly at 509-662-1155 for more info.

It seems like the wait time shouldn't need to be more than the cycle time at the signal 🚦 at the chumstick since that is the traffic limiter through town. Guessing that isn't more than 180 at the most?

(11/30 at 8:33 PM) You are exactly right! The pedestrian signal “talks” with the traffic lights along Hwy 2 and adjusts according to the current traffic flows. An increase in traffic flows = longer wait times. On the flip side, lower traffic flows = shorter wait times.

I don’t understand why parking isn’t allowed on the north side of Evans St, especially by Osborn, where there is designated on-street parking. While this only eliminates a handful of spots, they are valuable to downtown employees and puts more pressure on streets that are not fit for on street parking.

(11/30 at 8:34 PM) Due to its connectivity and placement within the City’s roadway system, Evans St was identified by our local emergency services partners as an ideal access route for EMS vehicles. Check out the full map on our “Christmastown Traffic Info” page on our website (link in bio). We appreciate your patience and understanding during these temporary parking restrictions.

Where can we park for oversized or trucks with trailer?

(11/30 at 8:34 PM) Check out Glacier, a pay lot, which has 6 dedicated stalls for oversized vehicles with trailers and/or RVs.

What will the situation be like at the Hwy 2 bridge at Peshastin? Better signage? Flagger?

(12/9 at 1:26 PM) There will be signage in Peshastin after the bridge noting “LOCAL ACCESS ONLY”. A flagger will be stationed near Mengelos Street. Please note that signage and flagger locations are subject to change.

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