I-70 closed to all traffic in both directions
between Glenwood Springs and Dotsero
GLENWOOD CANYON - Just after midnight, on March 8, a large rockfall incident hit I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, near mile marker 125 just west of Hanging Lake Tunnel. (The rockslide on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2004, was in the same general area, though rocks came from a different location on the hillside.)
I-70 is closed in both directions to all traffic at Glenwood (mm 116) and at Dotsero (mm 133). While there is no estimate for a re-open time, Colorado Department of Transportation will blast and break up larger boulders today and continue work to assess when a portion of the roadway may be opened for travel. CDOT will implement emergency contracting procedures and meet with contractors over the next couple of days as crews develop repair plans.
It is estimated that this slide brought 20 boulders onto the interstate, ranging in size from 3 feet to10 feet in diameter. The largest is estimated to weigh about 66 tons. The rocks have made holes in the elevated sections of roadway-the largest being in the westbound lanes (closest to the hillside) and measuring 20 feet by 10 feet. Another hole in the lower eastbound lanes measures 6 feet by 6 feet. There are a half a dozen other holes and "dips" in the roadway, as well as areas where rocks are embedded. Most of these repair areas appear to be approximately 5 feet by 5 feet. Rocks are scattered over 100 yards of roadway. Also damaged are three sections (about 120 linear feet) of steel guard rail and 100 linear feet of median barrier. The damage is similar to that resulting from the 2004 rockfall incident.
ALTERNATE ROUTES: From westbound I-70: exit at US 40/Empire to State Highway 13 and back to I-70; exit in Silverthorne and take State Highway 9 to US 40 and State Highway 13; exit at Wolcott/State Highway 131 to US 40 and State Highway 13. From eastbound I-70: exit at Rifle/State Highway 13 to US 40 and back to I-70. Travelers may also wish to use US highways 160, 285 and 50 if traveling to destinations south.
I-70 is not expected to open any time soon. CDOT appreciates the patience of travelers and want everyone to be assurred that crews are doing everything possible to get the roadway safely open to traffic. Video of the rockfall site can be found at www.cotrip.org
LOCAL MEDIA: CDOT Public Relations director Stacey Stegman is on site (303-902-7356) and will be escorting media on either side of the closure site as time permits (cell phone coverage is unreliable in this area; please contact Nancy Shanks or Mindy Crane if you need immediate assistance). Media are being staged at Grizzly Creek Rest area on the west side (mm 122) and Bair Ranch rest area on the east side (mm 129). Media should talk with CDOT and/or CSP at either closure to be allowed beyond those points. Continual updates and photos will be posted at our Media Room at: http://www.coloradodot.info/news/media-room.html
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