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CDOT: I-70 reopening delayed until at least Saturday
overdriveonline.com ^ | February 18, 2016 | Matt Cole

Posted on 02/20/2016 2:35:25 AM PST by uglybiker

CDOT: I-70 reopening delayed until at least Saturday

A tractor-trailer got caught in a rockslide Monday along I-70 in Glenwood Canyon in Colorado. Photo courtesy of the Colorado DOT

UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 18, 3:30 p.m. Central: I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is likely to remain closed at least until Saturday, CDOT says, as inclement weather has created delays in crews’ progress bringing additional rocks down onto the highway and restoring safety. The opening time and day will be dependent on CDOT’s ability to complete mitigation and clear the roadway with the current weather conditions.

UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 18, 9:40 a.m. Central: The Colorado DOT updated the I-70 closure situation Wednesday night, saying it still hopes to open the section through Glenwood Canyon to one lane with alternating traffic Thursday afternoon, but it’s not sure if that will be a possibility.

“Rock scaling operations continued [Wednesday] in Glenwood Canyon, bringing significantly more debris down from the slope than originally anticipated,” CDOT said in its update. “Rockfall crews are continuing to stabilize the slope and rockfall mitigation fencing will be installed on top of the westbound barrier walls. Crews will also be working to remove the damaged wall and guardrail in the westbound lanes.”

CDOT went on to say crews will be ready to implement single-lane, alternating traffic control if it is determined the site is safe for travel.

“Once implemented, the pilot car configuration will run about six miles with traffic being staged on the east side of Hanging Lake Tunnel and the crossover will be at the Grizzly Creek rest area,” CDOT said. “The Grizzly Creek, Hanging Lake and Shoshone rest areas will be closed during the duration of the pilot car operation. Bair Ranch and No Name rest areas will remain open. Motorists should expect at least an hour delay getting through the canyon during the pilot car operation.”

UPDATE: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 8:30 a.m. Central: The Colorado DOT says the section of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon will remain closed until mid to late Thursday. CDOT crews and contractors are continuing rock scaling at the location in an attempt to bring down any additional debris, CDOT said in its most recent update. Crews will also install rockfall mitigation fences on the westbound lanes.

On Thursday, a pilot car operation – directing single-lane, alternating traffic – will be implemented and traffic will be routed to the eastbound lanes, which did not incur as much damage. The pilot car operation could be in place for several days while early repairs and additional rock stabilization are completed. As repairs progress, CDOT will move to open one lane in each direction. It could be several weeks before the damage to the roadway walls and roadway are repaired and the interstate is fully open to regular traffic operations, CDOT said.

Original story below:

A portion of I-70 in Colorado is closed following a rockslide that occurred early Monday, Feb. 15, around 2:30 a.m., according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The rockslide occurred in Glenwood Canyon at mile marker 124.2, directly west of Hanging Lake Tunnel and eight miles east of Glenwood Springs. The Colorado Department of Transportation said it flagged traffic through the area throughout the day Monday as it worked to clear the boulders, but another rockslide Monday night around 9:03 p.m. caused the full closure of I-70 through the canyon.

Courtesy CDOT.

Courtesy CDOT.

CDOT said it’s unknown when the Interstate will reopen. The alternate route for westbound motorists is north on CO 131 at Wolcott to Steamboat Springs, west on U.S. 40 to Craig, then south on CO 13 to Rifle and back to I-70. This is a 203-mile alternate route that will take about three hours and 50 minutes to travel. This detour adds 146 miles and about three hours to a regular trip from Wolcott to Rifle on I-70, which is 67 miles or about 45 minutes.

A tractor-trailer got caught in the landslide Monday night and was disabled, CDOT said, but no injuries were reported. With the help of the Colorado State Patrol on Tuesday morning, crews were able to clear out any tractor-trailers that were stuck in the canyon. Passenger vehicles were cleared out overnight, CDOT said. A geohazards team is on site and in a helicopter evaluating the damage and, according to the CDOT, there is roadway, retaining wall and bridge/guardrail damage.

For updates on I-70’s status and other Colorado travel information, check the CDOT's website.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: i70; rockslide
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To: uglybiker

The mountain is seeking it s angle of repose


21 posted on 02/20/2016 6:34:46 AM PST by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump.)
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To: Up Yours Marxists

——Best to just go I-40 and avoid frequent closures——

Except I 40 through the NC mountains experiences the same problems and has been closed for months at a time


22 posted on 02/20/2016 6:36:17 AM PST by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;+12, 73, ....carson is the kinder gentler trump.)
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To: exit82

I saw a pilot car set up in California in the Kings Canyon area. Basically a line of cars sits and waits for a hour or so until a pilot car comes up and leads the line to the clear road. Everyone follows the lead (pilot) car exactly. Then the pilot car goes back and gets another load.


23 posted on 02/20/2016 7:31:08 AM PST by sportutegrl
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To: ZinGirl

Yes. I was born in Denver over 80 years ago. When I was growing up, there were no interstates through Colorado. Through Denver to the mountains we only had US-6 and US-40, which is Colfax Ave. Going south to the Springs, you’d take the Old Denver Highway, which was originally U.S. Route 87. That was replaced by I-25.

I have fond memories of riding these beautiful roads in the rumble seat of dad’s 1939 Ford Coupe, before they were paved over.


24 posted on 02/20/2016 7:31:50 AM PST by Up Yours Marxists
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To: uglybiker

That must have traffic backed up for hours (the single alternating lane). I’ve been backed up for hours on I-70 when there WASN’T anything wrong.


25 posted on 02/20/2016 7:59:30 AM PST by American Quilter (Carson/Cruz in 2016)
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To: Up Yours Marxists

Amazing! What great memories. I’ve only been here for 23 years—still practically a greenhorn.


26 posted on 02/20/2016 8:05:14 AM PST by American Quilter (Carson/Cruz in 2016)
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To: BluH2o

I-70 was a magnificent drive when it first opened decades ago, but now it’s not nearly sufficient for the amount of traffic. It’s still breathtakingly beautiful, but delays are frequent.


27 posted on 02/20/2016 8:07:31 AM PST by American Quilter (Carson/Cruz in 2016)
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To: knarf

My daughter and son in law lived for a year and a half in Castle Rock. They moved out there for his work. The scenery was amazing (the Rocky mountains really do look purple). When they moved out there, they travelled I 70 during Winter storm Q. It was a warning of weather to expect in CO. They loved the beauty of CO...not the wx.


28 posted on 02/20/2016 8:20:43 AM PST by PennsylvaniaMom ( Just because you are paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...)
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To: uglybiker

The highway through Glenwood Canyon is amazing.

The detour is 4 HOURS. Truckers can’t be happy.


29 posted on 02/20/2016 8:37:35 AM PST by MileHi (Liberalism is an ideology of parasites, hypocrites, grievance mongers, victims, and control freaks.)
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To: sportutegrl

Thanks for the explanation!


30 posted on 02/20/2016 8:42:36 AM PST by exit82 ("The Taliban is on the inside of the building" E. Nordstrom 10-10-12)
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To: goldstategop
We seldom need snow chains here in Colorado.

I keep a set in my truck, and a tow strap. I have needed them to get out a couple times each winter (been here two years). After a good snow it might be two days before a plow shows up. We're 25 minutes off the pavement at about 9000 ft. I've needed the tow strap a couple time to drag other folks out of ditches back in here.

I agree though, never needed them in town, 4x4 will do.

31 posted on 02/20/2016 8:49:10 AM PST by MileHi (Liberalism is an ideology of parasites, hypocrites, grievance mongers, victims, and control freaks.)
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To: MileHi
Not too may ways across them mountains. They'd have to cut south at Vail down to Hwy 50 and head west over the Butterfly Pass over to Montrose and then back up to Grand Junction.

That's a lot of extra driving.

32 posted on 02/20/2016 9:40:02 AM PST by uglybiker (nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-BATMAN!)
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To: uglybiker

There’s a way north up through Craig and back down through Rifle too I guess. Either way, lot of extra road time.


33 posted on 02/20/2016 9:46:38 AM PST by MileHi (Liberalism is an ideology of parasites, hypocrites, grievance mongers, victims, and control freaks.)
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