Traffic Moving Again Through Glenwood Canyon For First Time This Month After I-70 Closure Due To Mudslides – CBS Denver

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) – The Colorado Division of Transportation introduced on Saturday morning that site visitors is transferring once more in each instructions on Interstate 70 via Glenwood Canyon after an prolonged closure. One lane in every course is open and site visitors is at the moment being escorted via in queues after mudslides compelled repairs that lasted greater than 2 weeks (and are nonetheless ongoing).

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The interstate isn’t anticipated to be totally repaired via the canyon till Thanksgiving.

Throughout a information convention on Friday afternoon, CDOT stated that site visitors shall be decreased to 35 mph via the cleanup zone whereas crews proceed to take away filth and rocks from the realm the place the particles flows from the canyonsides brought about heavy injury throughout a flash flood on the finish of July.

“Not solely did we lose the roadway (within the mudslides), we misplaced in all probability virtually 50 toes of the retaining wall that’s adjoining to the Colorado River,” stated CDOT Deputy Incident Commander Keith Stefanik on Friday.

Drivers are additionally being instructed to maintain their eyes on the highway and never be tempted to stare on the restore work and mudslide injury.

Due to the lengthy delays which can be nonetheless anticipated all through the weekend, drivers can nonetheless take a northern route that detours across the canyon. It’s a prolonged route:

WESTBOUND I-70: Motorists coming from the Denver metro space or Interstate 25 can journey westbound on I-70 to Silverthorne, then flip north onto Freeway 9. In Kremmling, vacationers ought to flip onto westbound Freeway 40 in the direction of Steamboat Springs. After reaching Craig, motorists can return south by way of Freeway 13 in the direction of Rifle. Entry to I-70 westbound is at Rifle.

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EASTBOUND I-70: Motorists touring eastbound from Utah or Grand Junction can attain the Denver metro space by touring north from Rifle on Freeway 13 to Craig. From there, head east on Freeway 40 via Steamboat Springs. Both take Freeway 131 south to Wolcott and onto I-70 from there or proceed on Freeway 40 via to Kremmling and head south on Freeway 9, then be a part of up with eastbound I-70 once more at Silverthorne.

I-70 drivers ought to count on that there shall be temporary closures in Glenwood Canyon at instances to permit CDOT crews and contractors to work. A closure can even be in place if flash flood warnings are issued for the realm.

CDOT calls the mudslide a 500-year occasion and there’s nonetheless a lot out of their management.

“We’re not out of the clear — we now have to get superb cooperation from Mom Nature and ensure she just isn’t establishing extra occasions that place materials down on our down on the viaduct,” Stefanik stated.

RELATED: Weather Cooperates With CDOT Reopening I-70, Thunderstorms Will Be Limited Saturday

Each the No Title Relaxation Space and the Shoshone Relaxation Space are reopening. The Grizzly Creek Relaxation Space is not going to open instantly; it doesn’t have electrical energy as a result of Xcel Power moved its generator to Shoshone Dam. The Hanging Lake Relaxation Space shall be closed till the U.S. Forest Service clears the path. CDOT is utilizing the Bair Relaxation Space for emergency mobilization so it’s going to additionally keep closed.

Why Are There Mudslides In Glenwood Canyon In 2021?

A number of mud and particles flows in Glenwood Canyon have occurred throughout heavy rainstorms this summer season, however none had been as harmful as those on the finish of July. The mudslides are a results of the Grizzly Creek Fire, which burned up and down the canyon partitions in 2020.

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The 32,631 acre hearth left a burn scar on the blackened canyonside that has little plant grown in it to maintain the soil from eroding when heavy rainstorms go via.