Three Valley Gap West of Revelstoke Will See Eight New Remote Avalanche Control Systems Installed On Avalanche Prone Slopes Above BC Highway 1
Highway 1, British Columbia – BC Transportation Minister Todd Stone recently announced that BC Highway 1 near Three Valley Gap will have 8 remote avalanche control systems installed over the next two years.
The avalanche control systems are designed to remotely fire explosive charges on avalanche prone slopes above the highway. They can be operated 24 hours a day in any type of weather. Until now avalanche control experts have used helicopters to drop explosives on slopes that could potentially hit the road. This is a timely and dangerous activity that can only be done in good weather and in the daylight. The new remote avalanche control systems will ideally limit the number of long delays seen on Highway 1 during the winter season – making the road safer and keeping the traffic moving.
The $2.1 million contract was awarded to European-based Wyssen Avalanche Control. Wyssen will install 8 remote firing systems through the Three Valley Gap. Three will be installed prior to the upcoming winter season and the rest will be installed the following year.
Three Valley Gap is located on Highway 1 southwest of Revelstoke, BC and west of Eagle Pass. Highway 1 travels 1,039 km (646 mi) across BC. It is part of the Trans-Canada Highway that travels across the country of Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Watch the official announcement on this YouTube video.
