Engineers have reopened one lane in each direction of Interstate 70 in Grand Junction after a fiery truck crash Wednesday shut down the crowded highway.
Colorado Department of Transportation workers along with private contractors worked through the night shoring up the damaged bridge with steel supports.
Early this morning, a single westbound lane was opened to traffic, with engineers certain that the new shoring will keep the bridge safe. An eastbound lane was opened Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 3 a.m., Wednesday, when a westbound semi-truck crashed into a bridge pillar on the north end of the bridge that carries Road 26.5 north-south over I-70. The concrete pillar was knocked free from under the bridge.
The truck driver and a passenger were burned beyond recognition in the crash. Both were ejected from the truck. The identities of the male driver and a female passenger have not been released, although police said they began their trip in Denver.
Grand Junction police today said preliminary results of the investigation show the driver apparently fell asleep just before the crash. The driver lost control of the truck and overcorrected twice. He took out 75 feet of guardrail before crashing into the bridge pillar.
The bridge has not been reopened. CDOT said engineers will continue to test the strength and stability of the bridge before deciding what permanent repairs will be made. Most likely, the bridge will have to be shut down at some time for the repairs or replacement, CDOT said.
The damage comes at the height of the tourist season, with up to 19,000 vehicles a day using the Interstate, which runs along the north side of Grand Junction. Some traffic will continue to be diverted along the I-70 business loop through town, as well as onto Highways 6 and 50.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at mmcphee@denverpost.com or by calling 303-954-1409.
