SerpApi.Org
Interstate 70 in western Colorado is back open after a lengthy closure due to "tons of mud and debris" covering the roadway, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
At about 7 p.m. Monday, the highway became impassable due to a debris flow. Torrential rain and hail flooded the area, pushing mud, logs, and rocks across the roadway and overwhelming local drainages, CDOT said.
The highway was closed in both directions between Exit 97 near Silt and Exit 105 near New Castle. It’s estimated that the mud and debris covered more than 300 yards of the highway and was more than three feet deep in some areas.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said that as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, one eastbound lane was back open. The interstate fully reopened around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, CDOT said.
“A very quick, very heavy rain and hail storm brought a lot of moisture and the dry ground was not able to absorb, which caused massive flooding and piles of debris to overwhelm the drainage system in this area,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Regional Transportation Director. “Our maintenance crew reacted quickly and worked in conjunction with our State Patrol partners to get the roadway closed off and route vehicles onto detours.”
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said there were other road closures as well, with flash flooding impacting the Peach Valley area.
U.S. Highway 6 was also closed Monday night due a land/mud slide between mile markers 100 and 103 near Silt and New Castle, but the road reopened around 1 a.m. Tuesday.
