I-70 Reopens After Rock Slide In Glenwood Canyon
GYPSUM, Colo. (CBS4) - Officials have reopened Interstate 70 in both directions on Thursday afternoon after a rock slide in Glenwood Canyon several hours earlier.
"This is a challenging and trouble spot we have in the canyon," said Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tracy Truelove.
Authorities said eight rocks that weighed about one ton each came crashing down onto the highway not far from the Hanging Lake exit at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. Some rocks were still falling on the road after 11 a.m.
I-70 was closed from Dotsero to Glenwood Springs for 7½ hours while crews cleared the debris and inspected the road for any damage. I-70 reopened at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
With all the snow and heavy rain that's been falling in the high country this spring, geologists say it's no surprise that the rocks gave way and came crashing down in the canyon.
"We had a lot higher percentage of rockfall this spring than we typically see. The moisture gets in the cracks, loosens up the rocks and we see an increase in rockfall activity," said engineering geologist Bob Group.
No injuries were reported.
During the closure, westbound traffic was backed up at the Gypsum exit for miles. CDOT suggested that drivers traveled over Cottonwood Pass or through the town of Craig, both added about two hours to the trip.
There was a slide in the same area in both 2010 and 2004. In 2004, the slide closed I-70 on Thanksgiving, backing up traffic for several miles in either direction.
"In 2004 there was a big slide, many people remember it as being over Thanksgiving and in 2010 a couple more put holes in the deck and closed the canyon for almost a week for repairs," said Truelove.
CDOT posted a video of the rock slide on YouTube.
Even though crews were able to remove the boulders from I-70 the danger of more rocks falling from above continued, which delayed the opening of the interstate for hours.
Crews scaled the 1,000 foot cliff in order to get closer to where the slide began.
