HOBACK, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Transportation is warning drivers that WYDOT crews will be performing maintenance on avalanche infrastructure in the Hoback Canyon tomorrow, Feb. 18, from 8 to 10 a.m.
The work will cause intermediate traffic delays up to 15 minutes at a time.
Crews will be utilizing helicopter operations in the Stinking Springs area of Hoback Canyon to do general maintenance and refuel the avalanche infrastructure known as the O’Bellx units. These units use explosions to trigger smaller, controlled avalanches to prevent dangerous, uncontrolled conditions. The O’Bellx units are remotely operated by computer and are installed and removed by helicopter.
For the traveling public’s safety and WYDOT crews’ safety, the road must be briefly closed and free of moving traffic for helicopter operations to collect and return the equipment to its position after maintenance and refueling. Ideally, motorists should only see two brief delays as the helicopter carries the O’Bellx units to and from their location. Roadside flaggers will control traffic for the operation.
