NDOT says delays possible as they replace Mt. Rose Highway avalanche control system

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Transportation is advising Mt. Rose Highway commuters to anticipate upcoming brief traffic delays and stoppages as the avalanche control system located at the Mt. Rose Highway (State Route 431) summit is replaced.

Beginning in late August through October, drivers can anticipate intermittent weekday traffic delays and stoppages near the Mt. Rose Highway summit during installation of the new system. The periodic traffic delays are anticipated to be less than 30 minutes as a helicopter delivers components for the project.

While NDOT will work to advise drivers in advance of the periodic traffic closures via the media and NVRoads.com website, some brief traffic stoppages may take place without advance notice as required by weather and construction schedules.

Since 1992, NDOT has housed a remote-controlled avalanche control system near the summit of Mt. Rose Highway. When snow builds up, NDOT briefly stops traffic away from the area and activates the system to send shock waves that shake loose snow toward the highway. NDOT plow operators then remove the snow and safely reopen the road. These controlled releases of snow can help prevent the unpredictable and potentially dangerous snow slides that could bury vehicles and motorists on the highway.

This summer and fall, NDOT will install a new avalanche control system to replace the aging system that has served the highway for decades. The new system will use advanced avalanche control technologies to further ensure the safety and connectivity of highway travelers.

Also on the Mt. Rose Highway summit, the U.S. Forest Service is repairing restrooms, sidewalks, curbs, and walkways, as well as repaving and striping the parking lot at Mt. Rose Trailhead: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - News & Events.

Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling (775) 888-7000. Also follow @NevadaDOTReno on Twitter for traffic and project updates in northern Nevada, and @nevadadot on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.