The bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir on U.S. Highway 50 in Colorado has been indefinitely closed due to a 3- to 4-inch crack in a steel beam, prompting a significant impact on traffic and emergency services. The closure, urged by federal highway officials, has left no available routes for emergency vehicles or local traffic to travel from Gunnison to Montrose without taking 300-mile detours that will take six to seven hours. The Colorado Department of Transportation is working to inspect the severity of the defects and find alternative routes for commuters, while Governor Jared Polis has been in touch with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about the closure.
The US 50 bridge near Dillon Pinnacles crossing the Blue Mesa Reservoir is closed due to safety concerns following an ongoing inspection that revealed anomalies. The closure, located between Gunnison and Montrose, will significantly impact commuters, with recommended detour routes via Interstate 70 to the north or US 160 to the south. CDOT is evaluating options to improve travel for residents, businesses, and travelers on the western slope and advises using COtrip for road conditions and travel information.
Heavy snow and wind in Colorado's high country are expected to cause safety closures along Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 40 at Berthoud Pass through the weekend, with some areas expecting up to two feet of snow. The Colorado Department of Transportation advises drivers to avoid mountain travel if possible and be prepared for slick conditions, while the Colorado State Patrol warns of potential whiteout conditions and zero visibility. Westbound I-70 was temporarily closed due to multiple crashes, and CDOT encourages motorists to monitor road conditions using the COtrip tool and prepare for closures by packing essentials.
Heavy snow is hitting the Denver metro and high country, leading to low visibility and slick roads, prompting the Colorado Department of Transportation to clear roads and implement safety closures. FOX31 and Channel 2 are providing real-time updates and complete coverage of the situation.
U.S. 40 over Berthoud Pass has reopened after being closed due to adverse road conditions, while Interstate 70 over Vail Pass and U.S. 6 over Loveland Pass have also been reopened. However, U.S. 40 remains closed due to continuous slides and forecasted snowfall, with road crews working to address the challenges and a short closure planned for winter maintenance.
Berthoud Pass in Colorado will remain closed overnight due to ongoing avalanche danger after a snow slide buried 10 vehicles on Sunday. Crews are working to clear the snow, but more snow and high winds are in the forecast, making the pass too hazardous for travel. Ski areas and resorts have benefitted from heavy snowfall, but high winds and low temperatures are posing challenges for travelers. Avalanche mitigation efforts will continue, and travelers are advised to be prepared for road closures.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter driving conditions, as December historically sees the most crashes along the Interstate 70 corridor. Traction law violations were responsible for 26% of last December's crashes, resulting in nearly 288 hours of lane closures. Colorado traction laws require drivers to have 3/16-inch tire tread and either all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles, winter tires, mud and snow tires, or tires with an all-weather rating. Drivers are advised to check their tires, windshield wipers, and fluid levels before heading out in winter conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for areas in the foothills and Front Range mountains, with winds between 35 and 45 mph and gusts of up to 80 mph expected. This could lead to reduced visibility and snow-covered roads, prompting the Colorado Department of Transportation to urge caution for drivers on Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 6. Some areas have already experienced strong gusts, with wind speeds reaching 88 mph in Coal Creek Canyon and 74 mph in Berthoud Pass.
Five people were injured in a 21-vehicle pileup on westbound Interstate 70 near De Beque, Colorado, causing the highway to be closed for nearly seven hours. The crash involved 17 passenger vehicles and four semi-trucks, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. The closure was also due to other accidents on the highway, including one in Glenwood Springs and another in Golden where a tractor-trailer hit a bridge.
Federal investigators have begun investigating a train derailment and bridge collapse in Pueblo County, Colorado, that resulted in the death of a truck driver and the closure of Interstate 25. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates that it may take up to two years to determine the cause of the incident, with an initial report expected within a month. The closure of the interstate is expected to last for several days, as the NTSB completes its on-site inspection. Questions remain regarding the ownership and responsibility for the bridge. State officials are working to confirm who owns the bridge, which was not covered by federal inspection rules.
