HOBACK, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced Friday that avalanche infrastructure maintenance in Hoback Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 17, would cause traffic delays on US 191/189 of up to 15 minutes at a time.
WYDOT crews will use a helicopter in Stinking Springs to service its O’Bellx units, which use explosions to trigger small, controlled avalanches, which prevent larger uncontrolled avalanches. These units are remotely operated, but their installation, repairs and removal must be performed with help from a helicopter, according to WYDOT.
For the helicopter crews to access the units, the road must close intermittently. Roadside flaggers will control traffic while the helicopter transfers the O’Bellx units down the mountain, WYDOT said.
The road is expected to be closed on and off on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan travel accordingly.
“WYDOT would like to remind drivers to remember to obey all roadside signs, traffic control devices and road closures,” WYDOT said in the announcement.
Avalanche mitigation measures were performed in Hoback Canyon overnight on Friday, Feb. 16.
