Several major highways reopened Friday night after officials closed or restricted travel on Front Range and Eastern Plains roadways because of high winds.
All closures on Interstate 70, Interstate 25, U.S. 24 and U.S. 85 were lifted as of 8 p.m., according to CDOT.
CDOT officials ordered the closures amid high winds gusting at 70 mph or higher across much of Colorado, which led to power outages and dust storms.
Colorado State Patrol officials also restricted high-profile vehicles from traveling on I-70 between Deer Trail and the Kansas state line because of high winds and overturned semitrucks. Agency officials posted photos of multiple vehicles tipped over in the highway median.
**High Wind Restriction -I-70** Both directions between Highway 40 (Deer Trail) and the Kansas State Line (10 miles east of Burlington), from milepost 328-450. Due to high winds and overturned semis, high-profile vehicles are not permitted. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should…
— Colorado State Patrol (@CSP_News)
High winds were exacerbating dry conditions and raising fire risks, especially in the Fort Collins Area and northeastern Colorado, agency officials said.
“Proper disposal of cigarette butts and securing trailer chains to prevent sparks is mandatory,” officials said in the travel alert. “Roadways may be closed or restricted due to extreme winds. Semi-tractor trailers, RVs, campers, high-wall trailers, and light vehicles should be vigilant as blow-over risk may be high.”
