California Department of Transportation
07/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2026 12:28
Caltrans Begins Avalanche Control Rehabilitation Project on State Route 88 in Alpine County
Caltrans Begins Avalanche Control Rehabilitation Project on State Route 88 in Alpine County
Published: Jul 02, 2026
Project Will Replace Avalanche Components to Safeguard Highway for Motorists
Alpine County - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has started a maintenance project that will repair and replace avalanche control components on State Route 88 (SR-88) in Alpine County.
Work will include the replacement of twelve Gazex Avalanche Cannons along SR-88 at the Carson Pass and Carson Spur near Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort. Caltrans does not anticipate any impacts to the traveling public. However, helicopter flights will be required to perform the construction work needed to replace avalanche control components.
Beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026, crews will primarily work day shifts from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for approximately 65 working days - Mondays through Fridays - with completion expected in early October 2026. This $10.4 million project has been contracted to Syblon Reid (Folsom, CA) who will perform the work required.
This project will benefit motorists and commercial vehicles traveling along the SR-88 corridor on one of the most active avalanche zones above a highway in North America. The Carson Pass & Spur produce more volume of snow on the highway than any other roadway in the bottom 48 states, making it a notable location for snowfall data. By replacing avalanche control components, this project will improve avalanche operations and reliability for this highly traveled corridor.
The work schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov and Build.CA.gov.
Motorists should expect 5-to-10-minute delays and use alternate routes whenever possible. All work is scheduled to occur as listed but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment/materials, and construction-related issues.
For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert. Caltrans also reminds motorists to #KnowBeforeYouGo by checking QuickMaps on your mobile device or visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov for real-time highway conditions.
California Department of Transportation published this content on July 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 02, 2026 at 18:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]