Redesigning the highway alignment outside of Smiths Ferry, Idaho, several slopes were over steepened then covered with rockfall protection mesh. These slopes at 35 to 45 degrees became susceptible to avalanche hazards. With no shoulder and only a guardrail between the highway and the Payette River the Idaho Transportation Department had to stabilize the snowpack on this ‘man made’ avalanche potential. The design was optimized from over 300 units at 2.5 meters high (2.5 meters wide) to 153 units 3.1 meters (3.6 meters wide). Because of Federal funding these units had to meet the Buy America Act requirements. Only Maccaferri Rockfall had the fabrication potential to meet these requirements and project schedule.