JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) – Wyoming Department of Transportation crews will perform maintenance work on some avalanche infrastructure on U.S. Highway 189/191, Hoback Canyon, as well as State Highway 22, Teton Pass, Tuesday morning.
Motorists will see brief closures of up to 20 minutes on US 189/191 through Hoback Canyon between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Crews will use helicopters in the Stinking Springs area of Hoback Canyon to perform general maintenance and refuel the avalanche infrastructure known as the O’Bellx units. These units use explosions to trigger smaller, controlled avalanches to avoid dangerous, uncontrolled conditions. O’Bellx units are remotely controlled by computer and are installed and removed by helicopter. The work will cause intermediate traffic delays of up to 15 minutes at a time.
Once work is completed in Hoback Canyon, crews will then move operations to WYO 22, Teton Pass to refuel the Gazex system. The Gazex system, similar to the O’Bellx units, is remotely controlled and also uses explosions to trigger controlled avalanches to avoid dangerous conditions. This work should take place approximately between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Motorists will also experience brief closures of up to 20 minutes.
For the safety of the traveling public and the safety of WYDOT crews, the road must be briefly closed and clear of all traffic for helicopter operations. Ideally, motorists should experience only brief delays while the helicopter transports the O’Bellx units down the mountain. Traffic marshals will control traffic during the operation. All times are approximate, dependent and subject to change.
WYDOT would like to remind drivers to remember to obey all road signs, traffic control devices and road closures. For more information, click HERE.
