LEAVENWORTH — Travelers between Ellensburg and Wenatchee are advised to look for a different route Thursday due to the daylong closure of U.S. Highway 97 over Blewett Pass. Crews will be cleaning up debris from September’s Labor Mountain Fire from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation. 

“Crews with the U.S. Forest Service and WSDOT have identified multiple sites to remove trees that could be a hazard and debris north of the summit,” the WSDOT release said. “The full closure of the road allows crews to work at several locations on the pass at once and expedite the work without pausing to allow traffic through the work zone.”  

Alternative routes are U.S. Highway 2 over Stevens Pass and State Route 28 through Quincy. 

While the work is projected to take one day, the project could take longer if the weather gods don’t cooperate, the release said.  

“Work schedules may change for many reasons, and tree removal is dependent on weather conditions,” the WSDOT release said.  

People should check the WSDOT website for updates, it said.