Dangerous conditions and multiple crashes closed multiple highways, including Interstate 70 east and west of the metro area, on Wednesday.
Even snow plows were having trouble in the heavy, blowing snow Wednesday.
When tow trucks and fire trucks are getting stuck it's bad. pic.twitter.com/TO1dNpqvna
— CSP Castle Rock (@CSP_CastleRock) March 23, 2016
-- Interstate 70 --
Interstate 70 was closed in both directions from Aurora to the Kansas border at 10:18 a.m. due to adverse conditions, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The closure is officially from Airpark Road to Burlington (Milemarker 292-448).
EB I-70 was at Chambers due to stuck semis on the highway as of 7:58 p.m., but reopened at 9:34 p.m.
EB I-70 is closed at Brighton Boulevard due to road conditions and several crashes. EB I-70 is open past the Brighton Boulevard intersection as of 10 p.m., according to Denver Police.
Traction law and chain laws are in effect for I-70. See the latest on locations on CDOT's website.
-- Interstate 25 --
- Just one lane open southbound near Monument Hill as of 8:45 p.m.
- Chain laws in effect for all commercial vehicles at Monument Hill as of 6:48 p.m.
- SB I-25 is closed from Downing to University. There's also lane closures from NB I-25 from University to Downing due to road conditions and crashes, as of 9:33 p.m.
- I-25 is closed in both directions from Franklin Road to University Boulevard due to multiple crashes. There is no estimated time of reopening as of 9:55 p.m.
The Colorado National Guard said it was sending troops to help drivers stranded on the highway between Denver and Colorado Springs at 8:40 p.m.
CO #NationalGuard sending 5 humvees & 10 troops to support stranded motorists on I-25 b/t #Denver & #CoSprings #cowx @coemergency
— Colo National Guard (@CONG1860) March 24, 2016
-- Interstate 76 --
I-76 was closed from Lochbuie to Nebraska at 12:45 p.m.
"Multiple semi truck crashes on I76. White out conditions with no visibility. I76 is close from Lochbuie to Nebraska," the Colorado State Patrol tweeted at 12:55 p.m.
CO-93 closed in both directions from Highway 72 to 64 Ave b/c downed power lines;no est time of reopening
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) March 23, 2016
-- Highway 6 --
US 6 was closed from Brush to Atwood (Milemarker 372-397) at 1:55 p.m. but reopened around 8:30 p.m.
-- Denver International Airport --
The blizzard shut down Denver International Airport a little after noon. It reopened at 7 p.m.
MORE | Half of Denver International Airport flights cancelled as snowstorm moves through
The Colorado State Patrol is asking people to stay off the roads.
We beg you to stay off the roads. Emergency equip. is also stuck. Roads are beginning to close as well. pic.twitter.com/LwtRZagEjk
— CSP Castle Rock (@CSP_CastleRock) March 23, 2016
A traction law was enforced for the Denver metro area for the first time in history, which meant and trucks and passenger cars on major highways had to have one of the following three times:
- Snow and mud all-weather tires
- Four-wheel drive, with proper traction
- Chains
The traction law ended just before 7 p.m.
Even people with four-wheel drive had trouble in the blizzard conditions Wednesday.
Many stranded. 30+ calls for motorist assist pending including 4x4s! Stay home. pic.twitter.com/P5JK1o3QLv
— Capt Darren Weekly (@DWeeklyDCSO) March 23, 2016
Check CDOT's full list of closures here: cotrip.org/map
Public transportation was also impacted by the storm.
"All light rail lines will be running on limited schedule until further notice due to inclement weather. This will include rush hour service," RTD tweeted at 11:45 a.m.
SkyRide bus service from Denver to the airport shut down from about 2-4 p.m. and then resumed operation.
Please refresh this page for updates on this developing situation.
