I-70 Reopens After Rock Slide Near Genesee

DUMONT, Colo. (CBS4) -- Interstate 70 is back open in both directions after a rock slide just west of Genesee at Beaver Brook. The eastbound lanes were also closed at Frisco for several hours Friday, while crews worked. The eastbound lanes reopened at approximately 3 p.m. and the westbound lanes opened just after 5:30 p.m.

The rock slide is near Dumont, in the same area where the rock slide happened earlier this week. Crews expected this closure would last longer because they needed to do blasting.

"There is a large overhanging rock that they are trying to secure," said Sgt. Blake White with the Colorado State Patrol. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen.

"CDOT is working as quickly as possible to make the road safe for travelers and rockfall mitigation is happening right now.  Crews are now removing rocks that became unstable so that they do not fall onto the road and pose danger for travelers," CDOT officials said. 

US 6 and US 40 were also closed.

"Mitigation crews are on scene preparing to use airbags to push loose rocks off the hillside to be transported away," The Clear Creek County Office of Emergency Management said on Twitter at about 12:20 p.m.

"Travelers should expect delays in both directions and seek alternate routes; check www.cotrip.org for the latest information," CDOT officials stated.