Rare Snow Blasting Work on US97 Blewett Pass

Ever wonder why Blewett Pass is rarely closed for avalanche control work?  Meagan Lott with the State Department of Transportation says Blewett does not have the avalanche chutes prone to slides like Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass but there are several high ledges above the road where snow can accumulate and create dangerous conditions for drivers below.

WSDOT maintenance crews took the unusual process for Blewett Pass on Wednesday, of blasting the dangerous snow from several of those trouble spots north of the summit between mileposts 164 and 177.

Technicians blasted the snow from the ledges while traffic was stopped and maintenance crews cleared the fallen snow.   Work began about 9am and was expected to be completed by 11am.