DENVER — Westbound traffic on Interstate 70 in the mountains is backed up for several miles after a hole opened up on a bridge at the bottom of Floyd Hill Friday morning.
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed the right lane on westbound I-70 just past US 6 as crews work to make emergency repairs to the bridge deck, which includes installing steel plates over the 6-foot by 7-foot hole.
We're looking into 285 as being a possible alternate, but due to wind concerns in some areas, we want to make sure the Fairplay area is safe for motorists to travel through. We know that this is inconvenient, but safety is our #1 priority. pic.twitter.com/8WZZgpvpgN
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) December 29, 2017
The closure and repair work has snarled westbound traffic in the area, turning that stretch of highway into a virtual parking lot for several miles. CDOT said delays are expected into the late evening as work continues.
"It is highly unlikely that repairs will continue into the morning," a CDOT spokesperson said on Twitter late Friday afternoon, adding they hoped to open the right lane in about two to four hours, or approximately about 10 p.m.
Colorado State Patrol officials are advising motorists to avoid using U.S. Highway 6 as an alternate route. However, U.S. Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 285 are recommended, but high winds could make travel difficult.
The Colorado State Patrol said repair work would likely take 7 to 8 hours to complete, which will bring the congestion into the evening rush hour.
The right lane of westbound I-70 reopened at about 2 a.m. Sunday.
