Traffic Closed Both Directions Between Glenwood Springs and Dotsero



GLENWOOD CANYON – In the early morning hours of Monday, March 8, a large rockfall hit I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, near mile marker 125 just west of Hanging Lake Tunnel, closing I-70 in both directions to all traffic between Glenwood (mm 116) and Dotsero (mm 133).

Colorado Department of Transportation officials have no word on when this portion of I70 will reopen; CDOT crews are working to blast and break up larger boulders, as well as meeting with contractors to develop repair plans for the affected area.

According to CDOT spokesperson Nancy Shanks, crews will implement emergency contracting procedures as well as spend the next few days developing repair plans.

The early-morning slide dumped an estimated 20 boulders onto the interstate, ranging in size from 3-10 feet diameter; the largest is thought to weigh 66 tons. This rockfall has made holes in the elevated sections of roadway, with the largest in the westbound lanes (closest to the hillside), measuring 20 feet by 10 feet. Another hole in the lower eastbound lanes measures six feet by six feet; there are a half-a-dozen other new holes and dips in the roadway, as well as areas in which rocks are embedded. Most repair areas are approximately five feet by five feet, with rocks scattered across 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 the damage that resulted from a similar rockfall incident, in 1994.



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.