I-70 Vail Pass Reopens After Winter Maintenance Work and Safety Concerns
After being closed in both directions from Vail to Copper Mountain for winter maintenance work, I-70 Vail Pass reopened Wednesday afternoon. However, the eastbound lanes were promptly closed again due to “safety concerns” between Exit 173 West Vail and Exit 190 Vail Pass Summit.
“I-70 is really nasty today folks,” said Oscar Sun, who attempted to travel to the slopes but got trapped in a classic Colorado winter I-70 backup when the road was closed.
During the closure on Wednesday morning, drivers were encouraged to take the southern alternate route via Highway 24 and Highway 9. However, Sun reported that pretty much every route seemed treacherous due to icy and snow-packed conditions.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) tweeted updates on the road closures and advised motorists to be prepared for adverse conditions.
Meanwhile, Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass remained closed on Wednesday morning due to safety concerns following recent avalanches that buried vehicles. This substantial snow-clearing effort is ongoing.
Oscar Sun warns others to “do your due diligence and stay home” to avoid getting trapped in hazardous conditions.
The history of road closures and avalanche incidents in the area could be incorporated by mentioning the region’s susceptibility to extreme winter weather conditions and the challenges faced by transportation authorities in keeping the roads safe.
For the latest updates on road closures and conditions in the area, stay tuned to CBS News Colorado.