Remote avalanche control system to cut down highway closures near Revelstoke

The Trans-Canada nearRevelstoke is closed so often for avalanche control, that it'searned the moniker "Revelstuck."

But the B.C. Ministry of Transportation is hoping to keep traffic moving this winter with a new remote avalanche control system.

"One of the beautiful things about this system and really one of the significant ways it's going to improve the reliability of the highway is that you can do avalanche control 24/7," said Robb Andersen, who manages snow, avalanche and weather programs for B.C. highways.

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Traditionally, avalanche technicians blast away threatening snow accumulation by dropping little bombs on the slopes from a helicopter.

The technique ensures a slide doesn't unexpectedly bury the highway, but it also has its limitations.

"You can't fly in poor weather and you can't fly at night," Andersen told the Calgary Eyeopener.

The new system triggers slidesremotely from the highway, meaning avalanche controlcan be done overnight, when there's less disruption to traffic flows.

Permanent towers deploy explosive charges

Andersen said what looks like four "ski lift towers" have already been permanently mounted at known avalanche pathways in the Three Valley Gap area.

When an avalanche technician gives the tower the signal, it drops a charge down a tether that hangs a couple of metres above the snow surface at the base of the tower and detonates.

The B.C. government has spent $6 million on the new technology, but Andersen said it's a solid, long-term investment because shutting down the highway costs about $500,000 an hour.

"In an average winter, that section of the highway has about 30 hours of closure time. So it is going to save the [B.C.] economy money in the long run."

Andersen said the towers will be up and running next week and four more will beinstalled in the area next winter.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener