Phase one of UDOT’s avalanche mitigation project in Little Cottonwood is complete

A closure to install new avalanche mitigation towers on Mt. Superior has been temporarily lifted opening the area back up to hikers. Another closure is expected in early September to finish the project. Photo: UDOT

Hikers can return to Mt. Superior for a few weeks before another short-term closure in early September to complete the project.

LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON – If you’ve been waiting to hike up Mount Superior, the wait is over. The Utah Department of Transportation lifted a closure in Little Cottonwood Canyon and announced that the first portion of their project to improve avalanche mitigation along SR 210 between Snowbird and Alta is complete.

UDOT announced the installation of new Wyssen towers along the Superior ridge line this spring. Construction crews worked hard to get the sites prepped: clearing the sites, drilling anchors for the towers, and pouring concrete for the tower foundations. We are ahead of schedule, with the majority of the work done. They also documented some of the action on their Instagram account.

The project area closure was temporarily lifted on Sunday, August 11, at sunrise.

The final step in the project is to assemble the towers in the staging area (once they arrive) and fly them to each location. They’ll be using a specialized heavy lifting helicopter for that portion and expect a short-term project area closure in late August or early September for crews to install the towers. This is subject to helicopter availability, as they’re in high demand during fire season.

UDOT thanked outdoor enthusiasts for respecting the closure this summer as it helped them get through phase one on time.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@udotcottonwoods)