A New Era in Avalanche Safety: How Cutting-Edge Technology is Protecting Roads, Ski Resorts, and Communities
In the world of natural disaster mitigation, few challenges are as unpredictable and dangerous as avalanches. Across the United States, mountain communities and transportation agencies have long relied on outdated and inherently dangerous methods to trigger controlled slides. Today, we have much safer and more advanced solutions for avalanche control, and Lochner recently played a key role in implementing one of these innovations in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.
This past summer, Lochner worked with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to replace decades-old Howitzer-based avalanche mitigation systems with Wyssen Remote Avalanche Control Systems (WRACS), providing a safer, more reliable way to control snowpack. Located above Little Cottonwood Canyon Road—one of North America’s most avalanche-prone highways— the installation required months of planning and an intense six-week construction effort in some of the country’s most rugged terrain. Thanks to careful execution, our team helped deploy a modern, remotely operated system that protects thousands of travelers and residents each winter—without the dangers of projectile artillery.
Local Mountaineering Knowledge Combined with Structure Expertise
Lochner collaborated with UDOT from the project’s early stages, leveraging our knowledge in local mountaineering and expertise in specialty structures to help develop contractor requirements and provide inspection services throughout construction. Replacing 50-year-old systems with remote-controlled Wyssen Towers marks a major leap forward, eliminating the risks associated with traditional explosive methods and enabling a more precise, efficient approach to avalanche management, particularly crucial during heavy snowfall.
Navigating Extreme Terrain & Weather
The steep, rocky terrain of Little Cottonwood Canyon combined with unpredictable weather required highly specialized installation techniques. The contractor custom-engineered machine components to navigate extreme slopes and jackhammered rock for stable ground before drilling anchor holes for the towers. To transport materials and complete final tower placement, a Black Hawk helicopter was deployed. Thanks to a skilled pilot and meticulous coordination between Lochner and the contractor, once the foundations were completed, the team installed all 16 towers in under two hours, a remarkable achievement given the harsh conditions.
Industry Recognition & Lasting Impact
In November 2024, UDOT recognized the project with the Safety Project of the Year Award, celebrating its innovative approach and significant improvements to public safety. Lochner’s role in contractor prequalification and inspection services was instrumental in the project’s success and this recognition.
Although it may feel like spring in some parts of the country, winter conditions persist in Utah and the Wyssen Towers are already making a difference, keeping Little Cottonwood Canyon Road open and safe despite heavy snowfall. As technology continues to reshape infrastructure, Lochner remains at the forefront—delivering smarter, safer solutions that protect lives, enhance mobility, and strengthen communities for the future.