Stranded Drivers Clog Snowy Streets As Major Roadways Close
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Dozens of drivers were stranded across the Denver metro area on Wednesday as snow fell in some places more than an inch an hour. Several major roadways and interstates were closed across Colorado because of the blizzard warning.
At the on ramp from I-70 to C-470 there were dozens of drivers stranded because of heavy snow and strong winds.
Pena Boulevard was closed in both directions both to and from Denver International Airport due to winter driving conditions.
DIA closed shortly after noon on Wednesday.
The Colorado Department of Transportation said all passenger vehicles must use chains, snow tires and 4-wheel drive on all interstates and some highways in the Denver metro area on Wednesday. That includes Interstate 25, I-70, C-470, I-225, Hwy. 83, I-270, I-76 and U.S. 285.
All commercial vehicles must chain up as well.
The Colorado Office of Emergency Management says the Colorado National Guard resources have been deployed for rescue mission related to the blizzard conditions.
RTD shut down light rail service from the Federal Center and Jeffco on the W Line was suspended at 1 p.m.
RTD also advised all commuters to find alternate means of travel because RTD was experiencing delays.
The blizzard warning brought heavy snow and strong winds to the Denver metro area early Wednesday morning and lasted throughout the day.
RTD had 10-15 minute delays for buses, light rail all day on Wednesday.
I-70 was closed in both directions from Airpark Road to the Kansas border. There was no estimate on when the interstate will reopen. It's open from Utah to Denver.
US 36 closed in both directions from Byers to Kansas border because of adverse weather. It's open from Louisville to Denver.
I-25 is closed in both directions from CO 7 to CO 402, or Erie to Loveland, due to accidents and adverse weather.
I-25 closed in both directions between Plum Creek to Woodman Road, that's Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, due to multiple accidents/adverse weather.
PHOTO GALLERY: Spring Blizzard 2016
I-70 closed for a large stretch from Morrison to Silverthorne due to adverse driving conditions. At 3:30 p.m. westbound lanes opened from Morrison to Silverthorne but the eastbound lanes are still closed. I-70 was closed from Federal to Pecos.
U.S. 6 in Clear Creek Canyon closed from Golden to Hwy. 119 due to rock slide just before 8 a.m. Wednesday. The highway reopened at 10:45 a.m.
C-470 at U.S. 6 was closed for a while due to accidents. Traffic was getting by at 8 a.m. but there were delays in the area.
The Red Cross set up several shelters in the Denver metro area including Dakota Ridge High School in Jefferson County, Margaret W. Carpenter Rec Center is on standby to become a shelter in Adams County, Douglas County Fairgrounds in Douglas County, and Foxridge Farms on E. Colfax Avenue was opened by Arapahoe County.
Jefferson County opened three shelters including the Walmart stores at El Rancho and C-470 and Bowles and the King Soopers at Aspen Park.
The government and city offices of several cities around the Denver metro area were closed by Wednesday afternoon including Denver, Golden, Castle Rock, Aurora and all Denver Public Library locations.
Several cities were also on accident alert, including Denver.
