II-70 in Glenwood Canyon is closed in both directions again this evening due to another mudslide just east of the No Name Exit (Exit 119). The closure is between Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) and Exit 133 (Dotsero), with an additional closure point at Exit 87 (West Rifle).
Crews are continuing to assess the slide and current weather, in order to determine what is required to safely clear the mudflow and reopen to eastbound and westbound traffic. Early reports are that the debris field is approximately 80 foot wide and up to five feet deep. There are no reports of injuries caused by the slide.
I-70 in Glenwood Canyon continues to be closed to westbound traffic at Exit 133 (Dotsero). Eastbound I-70 traffic is being detoured onto the northern alternate route, starting at Exit 87 (West Rifle) and continuing north on Colorado Highway 13. Please see below for the full description and map of the recommended northern alternate route.
Local eastbound traffic on I-70 can continue eastbound from Exit 87 onto US Highway 6, and continue towards Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley.
Please do not use navigation applications to look for alternate routes.There are many auxiliary roads such as Cottonwood Pass, Hagerman Pass and Eagle/Thomasville Road that are not passable and do not have cell service. Cottonwood Pass is restricted to local traffic only.
CDOT crews are working to clear the main mudflow that reached I-70, which is located near Exit 119 (No Name) at the location described in the advisory below. This flow came down at the same drainage location as on Saturday. The mudflow reached westbound and eastbound lanes, with more material on the westbound lanes. The estimated size and depth of the flow remains the same as described below. The Flash Flood Warning that was in effect on Sunday has lifted, and rain in Glenwood Canyon has stopped. The CDOT Geohazards team concluded that once the warning was lifted, crews could safely enter the debris flow area to begin mudflow clean up operations. Those operations are now underway and will continue tonight, as long as conditions are safe.
Motorists should continue to check cotrip.org if they are monitoring the closure.
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