On December 2, 2009 a large avalanche at Thompson Pass, Alaska, severed the Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) Solomon Gulch 138kV transmission line and threw a 5.5 ton steel tower 750' across the mountainside. The Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC) administered a safety plan to ensure CVEA and City Electric workers could safely complete the task of replacing the tower and restoring the transmission lines.
AAIC provided:
- Avalanche awareness and rescue training to workers
- Administered a helicopter delivered explosives program to ensure snowpack stability
- Completed daily snowpack observations in the mountains above the job site
- Provided a daily avalanche bulletin and weather advisory to project managers and workers
- Implemented appropriate safety precautions and risk reduction measures with increasing level of hazard
- Provided an Avalanche Rescue Plan
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