Regional pathways plan enters final stretch as Chelan seeks clearer communication on local impacts

The Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council is concluding public outreach for a regional pathways master plan, drawing significant interest, particularly in the Chelan-Manson corridor. Since the alignments were published two weeks ago, the project site has seen over 13,500 unique visitors and received nearly 60 questions from residents. The plan connects Chelan to Manson, Leavenworth to Cashmere, and other regions, and has been under development since early 2024. Public engagement has been extensive, with 1,500 individuals on the contact list and varied responses reported by project manager Jill Roszel. Mayor Erin McCardle requested a direct engagement period to address local concerns and misconceptions about the city's financial involvement in the project.

Residents fear that adding trail facilities could worsen traffic congestion and complicate emergency evacuations. The board plans to clarify alignment choices and costs before moving forward, with additional outreach planned for affected property owners. A complete summary of feedback will be presented at the board's January meeting before any final decisions are made.