Caltrans does routine testing on avalanche system on Echo Summit

The Caltrans Avalanche Team was at Echo Summit Monday for a routine test on their Gazex system which is in place on the mountain.

A message went out on twitter for those that follow @TahoeRoads, advising people of a loud bang that would happen. "if you hear a loud bang in a few minutes, it's not NYE again," the tweet said. "Caltrans testing avalanche control cannon off Hwy 50."

There is a video attached to this story that shows a demonstration on how this sytem works for avalanche control. The chambers of the Gazex remotely shoot compressed air into the snow.

After being popular in Europe, many state transportation departments are now using them.

Today's test was to make sure the system is ready to go in the next storm.