GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – The Latest on a Colorado rock slide that has closed 24 miles of a busy east-west highway. (all times local):
11 a.m.
The Colorado Department of Transportation says traffic on a 24-mile stretch of a key east-west highway won't be back to normal for weeks because of a rock slide. Travelers are now being directed to detours that take up to four hours.
Monday's slide of rocks the size of small cars on Interstate 70 caused no injuries, but damaged a tractor-trailer. The Colorado Department of Transportation, known as CDOT, shut down traffic in both directions from Glenwood Springs, which is 150 miles west of Denver, to Gypsum. CDOT spokeswoman Amy Ford said Wednesday it could be several weeks before the interstate is fully open.
Thursday, CDOT plans to open a single lane. Lines of west- and east-bound cars led by an escort vehicle will take turns traveling the lane.
The affected stretch, in a deep and narrow canyon carved by the Colorado River, is normally four lanes. CDOT says average daily traffic through the canyon is about 300 vehicles per hour.
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