CDOT To Close I-70 Next Tuesday For Rock Removal Project
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP/CBS4) -- Interstate 70 is scheduled to be shut down for at least one day next week so crews can remove some potentially dangerous rocks from above the highway.
Lanes in both directions are set to be closed next Tuesday -- April 5 -- between Silverthorne and Empire starting at 9 a.m. The highway could reopen at approximately 5 p.m. but if the project isn't completed I-70 will shut down again the next day starting at 9 a.m.
The Summit Daily News reports that the problem was discovered near Georgetown within the last month but the state couldn't get a helicopter to help remove the rocks until now because of recent wildfires.
There are about 40 rocks, ranging in size from 2 feet to 16 feet in diameter. They are located about 300 feet above the highway.
Five homes are below their potential path and police are asking residents to evacuate while the work is being done.
The Colorado Department of Transportation released the following important details about the detour that will be put into place:
"While I-70 is closed, the primary detour routes between the Front Range and the Western Slope are:
- I-70 to U.S. 40 (Empire Junction), U.S. 40 west over Berthoud Pass to Kremmling, and State Highway 9 south to I-70 in Silverthorne (73 miles)
- U.S. 285 southwest to Fairplay, State Highway 9 north over Hoosier Pass to I-70 in Frisco (101 miles)"
