[zephyr]

I don't think this has been posted yet. It's pretty cool. I wondered about the destruction of the old snow sheds on I-90 near Keechelus Lake. Here's what's replacing them--an avalanche bridge. Little video clip from KOMO News via WSDOT's Twitter that I found tonight. ~z

[LizzyRN]

[Randito]

Your tax dollars at work..

[meandering Wa]

now that you see it, seems so obvious from the get go. I have been puzzled by what that upper elevation work was and now I see. I wonder how the more open viewlines will impact the traffic plug that so often happens here on Sundays

[zephyr]

I was always curious as to why the snow sheds only covered the west bound lanes. There's a lot more information here on this WSDOT site with some great graphics. Here's a quote: The most persistent avalanche zone through Snoqualmie Pass is east of the summit along Lake Keechelus. This area is known as the East Shed. While a snow shed provides passive protection for the westbound lanes below two avalanche paths, the eastbound lanes are not covered. When active control is required there, we stop traffic a safe distance away from the foot of the avalanche zone. A "sweeper" vehicle drives through to ensure that no vehicles are still inside the zone. Once the area is clear, cable trams deliver the explosives to the top of the avalanche paths where they’re detonated, allowing our technicians to remain at a safe distance. It goes on to say more about the explosive charges used and their means of delivery. Options range from snowshoes and hand charges to snowmobiles and snow cats. Technicians will often use surplus military artillery to deliver explosives to the top of otherwise inaccessible avalanche paths. ~z

[ScottP]

[touron]

On our childhood trips east of the mountains, we would always try to hold our breaths: 1. Through the I-90 Mt Baker tunnels 2. Across the floating bridge 3. Through the snowshed tunnel

[I'm Pysht]

We'd try to hold our breath through our regular trips through Tacoma. [Stinky emoticon goes here]

[Brucester]

Cheaper to build than that downtown tunnel! What's wrong with bridges? Beefy supports beneath the bridge? Rocks and lumber can't be nice to concrete?!