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CDOT Considers Options To Prevent Future Rock Slides

By Matt Kroschel

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Federal disaster money is covering $5 five million repair bill for the latest major rock slide in Glenwood Canyon. Now transportation officials want to consider options to prevent future slides.

Last month's slide sent 300 tons of rocks onto Interstate 70 which forced the Colorado Department of Transportation to close the entire interstate for a week.

CDOT spokesman Damian Leyba said it's not a matter of if another slide will happen but where and how big.

GLENWOOD ROCKSLIDE
CBS4's Matt Kroschel interviews CDOT spokesman Damian Leyba (credit: CBS)

"Not going to stop the rock slides that's just a given," Leyba said.

CDOT has planned to investigate alternatives. One idea still in the preliminary stages would be to construct a rock shed-built over the top of the highway so when rocks do fall, they safely pass over the interstate.

That option is estimated at $30 million and there is no guarantees the rocks will slide where shelter is built.

"This entire canyon is one long rock slide area we do mitigation as much as we can but it's difficult almost impossible to medicate the entire canyon stretch," Leyba added.

rockslide
Repairs to I-70 in Glenwood Canyon after a damaging rockslide (credit: CBS)

Until funding can be found for a rock shed or another alternative, repairs will continue on an as-needed basis.

CDOT hopes to have the entire stretch of I-70 reopened and repaired by May 5. Until then drivers can expect delays through Glenwood Canyon.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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