GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Traffic on Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon was disrupted for several hours after a rockslide shut down both directions of travel Tuesday morning. The eastbound lanes were later reopened while one westbound lane was cleared for traffic.
The wet weather in the area caused several large rocks — some the size of SUVs — to break away from the canyon walls and crash down onto the road surface below, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. No vehicles were hit by the rocks.
The majority of the rocks were contained to the westbound lanes. However, the slide damaged a concrete barrier, allowing smaller rocks to fall onto the eastbound surface below. CDOT is planning to use explosives to blast the rocks from the highway.
Crews were able to clear the eastbound lanes around 10:45 a.m. after repairing a small pothole. CDOT reopened one westbound lane later in the day, though travel through the canyon will be disrupted once again when blasting occurs.
By late Tuesday afternoon, CDOT said drivers traveling through the canyon should expect periodic delays as crews continue to work on rock fall mitigation and road repairs.
The area is prone to slides especially following wet weather and temperature fluctuations.