The Confluence Parkway Project will add regional roadway capacity in the heart of North Wenatchee to provide congestion relief, improved safety and predictability, enhanced connections to local roads and businesses, and an additional evacuation route through the City.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Confluence Parkway Phase 1: Railroad Connection

Phase 1 of the project includes building improvements to North Miller Street and Hawley Street and extending McKittrick Street to provide new east/west access. Phase 1 is funded by a federal INFRA Grant and Move Ahead Washington funds. Phase 1 includes:

• Two new bridges across the BNSF Railway at McKittrick Street and N Miller Street
• 1.25 miles of new street for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists
• A new McKittrick Street
• New signalized intersection at Maple Street
• New roundabout intersection
• Direct access to parks and trails

A design visualization shows Phase 1 of the Confluence Parkway.

The camera shows construction of Phase 1 of the Confluence Parkway, the image refreshes every 10 minutes.

To view the camera please click here.  

The Confluence Parkway project is a major investment for the City. The recent notable escalation in construction costs, property prices, and the effects from inflation over the past several years is increasing costs across the project. Due to these increases, the project’s available funding may not stretch as far as initially planned. As a result, the City plans to phase elements of the project over a period of years as funding becomes available.

The City plans to prioritize securing right-of-way for the project north to US-2 with currently available funding, which will allow for the remainder of the project to be shovel-ready when additional funding is available. The City is proactively exploring opportunities for additional project funding.

Once completed, the Confluence Parkway project will create a new north/south route connection for the City. The project will:

• Increase regional roadway capacity and connections to provide congestion relief for the increasing number of vehicles, pedestrians, transit, and bicycles that use our City’s roads.
• Improve safety, access, and predictability, including eliminating two existing at-grade railroad crossings and replacing them with bridges.
• Build an important additional evacuation route through the City and over the Wenatchee River.
• Support economic development by facilitating access to the North Wenatchee business district.

The Project is planned to be a new two-lane arterial street that begins in the south at the existing intersection of North Miller Street and SR 285/North Wenatchee Avenue and extends north over the Wenatchee River on a new bridge connecting to U.S. 2/ Euclid Avenue interchange. It is expected to include:

• A 2.5 mile roadway connecting SR 285/North Wenatchee Avenue to the US 2/Euclid Avenue interchange, including new bike lane access and pedestrian connections to the Apple Capital Loop Trail improving safety for all users.
• Two new bridges crossing the BNSF railroad for N. Miller Street and McKittrick Street eliminating delays and possible safety incidences caused by the daily trains.
• A new bridge over the Wenatchee River to complete the connection and provide direct access north of the river and to US 2.
• The extension of McKittrick Street between SR 285 and the new Parkway to provide direct access to the Columbia River waterfront.
• Improvements and new connections to the Apple Capital Loop Trail including new access across the Wenatchee River, allowing for the old bridge to be removed.

WHY PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD?
We will advance the Confluence Parkway using a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) approach.

PDB differs from more traditional design and build methods because it allows for increased collaboration between the City and the PDB contractor throughout the design and construction process, and it will provide the City advantages in addressing key challenges associated with this complex project. The PDB delivery method will help to keep rising construction costs in check by building efficiencies, accelerating schedules, and recognizing available project funding limits. The choice to embrace the PDB model reflects the City’s commitment to be utilize creative approaches and solutions for this work.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Since the late 1990’s, the North Wenatchee Avenue corridor, From the US 2/Euclid Avenue interchange in the north to 5th Street in the south has seen rising congestion levels and increasing demands to serve our regional hospital, high school, college, downtown business district, and employment centers. It is currently the region’s primary traffic bottleneck for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout Chelan and Douglas counties.

In 2011, the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council along with its partners developed the North Wenatchee Transportation Master Plan. This plan considered concepts to alleviate traffic concerns specifically in the North Wenatchee corridor. The effectiveness of each concept was analyzed for its ability to address safety, highway mobility, accessibility, and economic impacts and benefits. Results of this analysis along with public input identified the Confluence Parkway as the concept providing the most transportation benefit.

Project Funding
The project is funded with a variety of local, state and federal sources such as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program and the Move Ahead Washington transportation package. For more background on the City's INFRA application and related documents, visit the Apple Capital Loop INFRA project page.

How can I stay involved?
The City of Wenatchee, in cooperation with Federal Highway Administration and Washington State Department of Transportation, welcomes your feedback and comments on the project.

 
Contact us:

For questions email us at:  cpproject@wenatcheewa.gov