Interstate 70 reopened in both directions at Morrison on Thursday evening after closing because of crashes, prompting long delays for motorists and created a sloppy drive across the Denver area.
“Have patience,” Lt. Col. Scott Hernandez, chief of the State Patrol, said in a tweet. “Winter driving conditions in the metro area. Slow down, buckle up.”
The westbound lanes of I-70 were closed at Morrison around 3:45 p.m. because of wrecks and several spun-out vehicles. They were back open by 6:15 p.m.
The eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed at Morrison about 3:40 p.m. for the same reason. They reopened about 6 p.m.
WB I70 open from Golden/Morrison. Traction laws for passenger vehs and Chain Law for commercial vehs remain in effect. S2
— CSP Golden (@csp_golden)
A photo from the area about 4:30 p.m. showed a long line of cars backed up in both directions. Officials are warning motorists to expect delays and pack their patience.
Unincorporated Boulder, Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties were placed on accident alert Thursday afternoon.
A State Patrol vehicle on Colorado 93 was struck by a vehicle. Authorities said there were no injuries as the trooper was outside of the car, although the roadway was blocked.
Have patience. Winter driving conditions in the metro area. Slow down, buckle up and .
— Scott Hernandez (@cspchief)
Denver officials warned that the city’s streets were likely to become treacherous Thursday night.
“Denver’s streets are wet , and Denver Public Works would like residents to be aware of the potential for roads to become icy,” Denver Public Works said Thursday afternoon. “Denver will have plow drivers on duty tonight and overnight to plow and drop de-icing material as needed. Commuters are encouraged to plan ahead and give themselves extra time in the morning to get to their destinations.”
A northwesterly snowstorm pounding the northern mountains and Front Range is packing winds — with gusts up to 23 mph in the city — and low wind chills. The temperature was staying steady at about 28 degrees in Denver on Thursday, although it was expected to drop into the teens after sunset.
Much of the high country on the Western Slope is under a winter weather advisory, in effect until Friday morning. From 8 to 14 inches of snow is expected in the northern mountains, weather forecasters say.
“A winter weather advisory will continue through (Thursday) to account for hazardous conditions from ice and accumulating snow,” the National Weather Service in Boulder said. “Over the mountains, light snow will continue through the evening into the morning hours on Friday with 8 to 14 inches possible. Higher amounts will be over west-facing slopes, with 5 to 8 inches over the western foothills.”
https://twitter.com/chris_tomer/status/834904960810745856
