Item: Loveland Pass Avalanche Mitigation
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Title: Loveland Pass Avalanche Mitigation
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Fanny Bourjaillat [ Engineerisk, Sainte Hélène du Lac, France ]
- Ethan Greene [ Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Boulder, CO, USA ]
- Raymond Mumford [ Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO, USA ]
- Tyler Weldon [ Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO, USA ]
- Philippe Berthet-Rambaud [ Engineerisk, Sainte Hélène du Lac, France ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: Close to Denver, Loveland Pass is part of the route that provides access to some famous ski resorts such as Vail and Keystone and is among of the more frequently used passes in Colorado. The pass is the primary route for trucks transporting hazardous materials (not authorized to travel through the Eisenhower Tunnel) to return to I-70 on either side of the Eisenhower Tunnel. It is also kept opened on a regular basis while being situated at an elevation of about 11,900 feet. Due to this situation, the exposure to heavy snowfall and strong winds leads to a major snow avalanche hazard. There is not less than 30 avalanche paths that threaten or could reach Loveland Pass and I-70 in the area. This highway presents a real management problem for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) which is responsible for the safety of the highways. This paper presents the risk assessment analysis and mitigation strategy key points prior to the installation of the first protections during the summer and fall of 2015
Object ID: ISSW16_P4.51.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: avalanche mitigation, Loveland Pass, Protection strategy
Page Number(s): 1382-1388
Subjects: mountain passes highways avalanche mitigation
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