I-70 Closure Through Glenwood Canyon More Than 'Just A Hiccup'
MORRISON, Colo. (CBS4) - The corridor through Colorado's mountains, has been closed in Glenwood Canyon since Monday due to rock slides, and it's creating more than a bump for travelers.
Rocks continue to fall down the walls and onto Interstate 70, as crews from Colorado Department of Transportation continuously work to clear massive boulders.
CDOT is now in the process of asking for federal disaster relief assistance in the nearly $5 million repairs, and travelers continue to take the hours-long detour around the mess.
Leon Nesbit is trying to make a special delivery -- he's hauling a fire truck west to the North Las Vegas Fire Department.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do," he told CBS4's Kelly Werthmann in Denver on Thursday evening.
The truck was supposed to be delivered Friday, but he had no idea part of his route was closed.
"When I came into Colorado there was an overhead sign that said 70 was closed, but I figured it was just a hiccup," said Nesbit.
High winds and adverse weather in the mountains is slowing the cleanup and repairs where several large rocks crashed onto the highway and through the barrier walls.
A six mile stretch of roadway has been closed since Monday, and the only possible detours are 4-hour routes.
"I'm eight hours away from where I gotta deliver...now I'm out to 12 hours," Nesbit said.
CDOT is hoping to partially reopen the road by Saturday, but there is no guarantee.
"We recognize that people are having to take a long detour and we understand that. We are working as quickly as we can, but more importantly, as safely as we can," said Amy Ford from CDOT.
Once I-70 reopens, drivers should still expect delays because just one lane will be open and traffic will be guided through by a pilot car.
