CDOT closed I-70 in both directions at exit 46, Cameo, near Palisade, due to the mudslide.
COLORADO CITY, Colo. —
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has closed I-70 in both directions at the Cameo exit, near Palisade due to a mudslide on Wednesday night.
A message from CDOT’s Twitter account was sent out around 7:22 p.m. announcing the closure.
CDOT automatically closes the flood-prone stretch of highway anytime a Flash Flood Warning is issued by the National Weather Service.
The Grizzly Creek burn scar is located right near the highway, and burn scars are especially vulnerable to flash flooding due to the lack of vegetation to absorb moisture. As a result, flood-driven mudslides are common near or even over the interstate.
If detouring, CDOT asked motorists to use the northern alternate route, which adds an extra 2.5 hours of travel time.
Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area should plan on exiting I-70 at Exit 205 at Silverthorne and traveling north on Colorado 9 toward Kremmling or exiting I-70 at Exit 157 at Wolcott and traveling north on Colorado 131 toward Steamboat Springs.
> Watch video above: I-70 back open in both directions after Glenwood Canyon mudslides
Travelers will continue west on U.S. 40 and then south on Colorado 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Exit 90 at Rifle.
Motorists traveling eastbound from Utah or Grand Junction can reach the Denver Metro area by traveling the route above in reverse.
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