JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will perform routine maintenance on avalanche mitigation infrastructure on Teton Pass on Tuesday.

According to a press release from WYDOT, crews will utilize helicopter operations in the Shovel Slide area of Teton Pass on Sept. 23 from 10 to 11 a.m. Motorists will see closures of up to 5 minutes at a time on WY22 over the Pass while the Gazex avalanche mitigation units are refueled before the snow flies.

The Gazex machines use explosions to trigger small, controlled avalanches in the winter to prevent dangerous, unpredictable conditions.

“For the safety of the traveling public and the safety of WYDOT crews, the road must be briefly closed and free of moving traffic while the helicopter is in the air near the roadway,” the statement reads.

Roadside flaggers will be controlling traffic during the operation. Drivers are reminded to obey all roadside signs, traffic control devices and road closures.

Monica is a Staff Reporter who studied journalism at Syracuse University and has been in the valley since 2015. She loves writing about the local food and bev scene, especially craft beer. When she’s not on the clock, you can find her paddle boarding, sewing, or whipping up a new recipe at home.