Avalanche blasting scheduled for this morning

Between 9 a.m. and noon on Thursday, residents in Douglas, West Juneau, Thane Road and downtown Juneau will hear a series of explosions as the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities fires a howitzer into the avalanche zone above Thane Road.

Between 9 a.m. and noon on Thursday, residents in Douglas, West Juneau, Thane Road and downtown Juneau will hear a series of explosions as the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities fires a howitzer into the avalanche zone above Thane Road.

Juneau will be a boomtown today.

Between 9 a.m. and noon, residents in Douglas, West Juneau, Thane Road and downtown Juneau will hear a series of explosions as the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities fires a howitzer into the avalanche zone above Thane Road.

“People should be prepared for some loud booms,” said Jeremy Woodrow, a spokesman for the department. “It echoes pretty well downtown.”

Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates while the blasting takes place, and traffic will be stopped. Hikers and walkers also will be blocked from accessing the howitzer’s firing location, the concrete pad uphill of the Treadwell Mine cave-in.

The howitzer is on permanent loan from the U.S. Army to the DOT, Woodrow said, and Thursday’s firing is more about training for state employees than actual snow removal.

“There really isn’t that much snow up top,” Woodrow said. “We have to get a certain amount of shots fired every year to keep our personnel certified.”

Woodrow said the department doesn’t expect the howitzer to create any significant avalanches or bring a significant amount of snow onto the road, but snow-removal equipment will be on standby as a precaution.

Woodrow said “more than a handful” of shots will be fired in the three-hour window, launched from the Treadwell Mine historic district, across Gastineau Channel and into Mount Roberts above Thane Road.

Avalanche blasting isn’t unusual in Juneau, but the past few winters have lacked significant snowfall, meaning it hasn’t been needed at Thane recently.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

“I voted” stickers featuring Tlingit artwork by James Johnson are displayed on a table at an early voting station at the Mendenhall Mall annex Oct. 30. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
In ballot issues, voting and democracy are having a moment

While other states consider implementing ranked choice voting, Alaska may be first state to repeal it.

A docked cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, is seen in Seward’s harbor on June 19 from the Race Point on Mount Marathon. The Port of Seward received a Clean Ports Program grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for a shore-based system to power cruise ships when they are docked in town. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Seward gets grant for shore-based system to power docked cruise ships

Town on track to be second in Alaska, after Juneau, to provide such facilities.

El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
El Sombrero says ‘hasta luego’ by closing restaurant after 45 years, with plans to open food truck

Downtown eatery owned by family for three generations who grew up alongside their customers.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
After controversial correspondence school decision, Anchorage judge faces voters in election

Adolf Zeman is one of 19 judges on Alaska’s ballots, but he’s the only one with a campaign against him.

The outcome of the struggle for control of both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
Will control of Congress shift? The results hinge on a handful of states and races

Narrow Republican Senate majority would allow Murkowski to wield outsized influence, expert says.

A sign on Egan Drive reminds motorists at midday Friday a lower seasonal speed limit is in effect in an attempt to reduce collisions at the Fred Meyer intersection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Reduced 45 mph speed limit goes into effect on Egan Drive in vicinity of Fred Meyer intersection

Change in effect until Jan. 31 intended to improve safety; JPD reports normal number of traffic stops.

People voting ahead of Election Day line up inside the Mendenhall Mall annex on Friday, Oct. 25. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Juneau an afterthought for candidates ahead of Tuesday’s election, but early voting at a record pace

Toss-up U.S. House race, minimum wage increase, repeal of ranked choice voting on ballot.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by record flooding Aug. 6 to a delegation of municipal, tribal and federal officials on Aug. 11. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a memorandum of agreement with the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for public safety issues such as emergency response, plus a similar agreement involving solid waste operations.
City leaders, Tlingit and Haida considering operational pacts for public safety, solid waste

Assembly members Monday will also discuss flood barriers, short-term rentals, homeless.

Most Read