Westbound lanes of Interstate 70 were closed for two extra hours Wednesday near Idaho Springs after transportation crews had difficulty getting drills off the rockface following rockfall mitigation efforts.
The interstate’s westbound lanes were supposed to be closed until 1 p.m., but instead reopened around 3 p.m.
Scaling and clean up work under way following rock blast off I-70 near Idaho Springs this morning. I-70 closures continue at Floyd Hill (WB), Dumont (EB) and Silverthorne (EB) while crews clear rocks and debris from the roadway.
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
Drivers, including a Denver Post photojournalist, of the traffic mess to social media Wednesday, showing an endless stream of cars sitting on the highway.
The mitigation efforts came as a series of rockfalls have caused major travel disruptions in the mountains over the past few weeks. The work is being done to stabilize the rock face, which is protected by a fence and barrier to help prevent loose rocks from spilling into the roadway.
Don't even THINK about getting on to I-70 westbound! If you do don't say I didn't tell you!! Traffic nightmare!!
— Helen H. Richardson (@hrichardson)
