GoI70

Photo courtesy of Colorado Department of Transportation

Thursday Morning Update: CDOT reports that they are preparing the road for opening, clearing snow and new debris from Wednesday’s blasting.  “Crews have already set up traffic control cones/barrels and signage on the Interstate so that when repairs are complete, the highway can open quickly. We will send notice as soon as a re-open time is set today.”

Late Evening Update: Just in time for the 9 o’clock news, the Colorado Department of Transportation declares, “The good news is that one lane of eastbound and westbound I-70 will reopen by the end of the day tomorrow.” Apparently, their geologists did have time to inspect the rock mitigation work done late in the day and they are “very satisfied with the work.” CDOT now believes that no further mitigation work will be required Thursday. In the morning crews will finish cleanup, drainage work and final pavement repair.

Be patient people, that’s one lane in each direction and three days of delayed travel along a busy section of highway. Travelers will be able to get through but it isn’t going to be full speed ahead. Plan for the potential of long queues and slow travel for the two lane detour.

Original Post: I 70 remains closed to traffic Wednesday night. The Colorado Department of Transportation says that two lanes of the highway are almost ready to carry traffic but they can’t vouch for the slope above. Work continues in the morning. The department assures the public, “CDOT will make every effort to reopen tomorrow.”

CDOT crews worked throughout the day to prepare a large area of loose rock for blasting and scaling. Apparently, the blast went off according to plan around 6 pm, but night came in before crews could climb back into the area and inspect the evening’s work. In the morning the scaling crew will climb back up the 900 foot slope to verify whether the slope is stable or, in the alternative, to begin work again. The highway will remain closed until the slope inspection is positive.

When the road is opened, the lanes farthest from the mountain which suffered the least damage will carry one lane of traffic in each direction. CDOT’s text messages and press communications have a slightly harried sound to them late this afternoon. The agency is acutely aware that the road usually carries 20,000 vehicles a day and that vacationers, truckers and commuters have only round-about & mountainous alternatives to the direct and convenient interstate arrow through the heart of the Colorado Rockies. They promise, “Be assured we will send an update as soon as we begin any procedures to open a lane.”

Stay tuned, folks.