The reopening, which would be of just one lane so a pilot auto could lead traffic through, depends on the progress of those efforts, not to mention the weather, Ford said during a telephone conference Wednesday afternoon.
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“Using that as an example, I have to stress that we are in an extreme situation, and we are very actively monitoring all of this area for additional rockfall danger”, Ford said.
The agency is removing rocks above a closed section of the interstate, and more rock is coming down than anticipated.
I-70 between Wolcott and Rifle remains open to local traffic with the exception of the Grizzly, Shoshone and Hanging Lake rest areas.
Crews will also be working to remove the damaged wall and guardrail in the westbound lanes.
Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon will remain closed through Thursday, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Glenwood Canyon after the rock slide.
“We are in the process of finishing repairs on the roadway itself to get ready for at least opening one lane”, said Ford. The highway has since been shut in both directions from Glenwood Springs in the west to Gypsum in the east, forcing travelers to take detours of up to four hours.
CDOT spokeswoman Amy Ford said Wednesday it could be several weeks before the interstate is fully open. Normally, the canyon averages 300 vehicles an hour.
She said moisture and a freeze-thaw cycle could continue to affect the ground’s stability. Please always check www.cotrip.org for roadway conditions before heading out.
Officials warn motorists seeking a detour around the canyon that Colorado 82 – Independence Pass – and Cottonwood Pass are closed for the winter. Frying Pan Road and Hagerman Pass are not recommended alternate routes. Access to USA 50 is available via Grand Junction for eastbound drivers and for westbound drivers by way of United States 24/285 through the Salida area from the Front Range.
In this photo provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation a highway worker examines debris from a rock slide on Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon in western Colorado on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The current arrival and departure times will remain the same.
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CDOT’s Bustang bus service to and from Denver continues to terminate at Eagle during the I-70 closure.
