Avalanche mitigation work closes parts of I-70 near Copper Mountain

The Colorado Department of Transportation has announced that westbound I-70 lanes are now open from Frisco to Copper Mountain. Eastbound I-70 remains closed at Copper Mountain. According to representatives with the Colorado Department of Transportation, avalanche mitigation work this morning at the Bethel avalanche path, between Eisenhower Tunnel and Herman Gulch, created a slide that dropped about eight feet of snow on the eastbound lane of I-70, and about 15 feet on the westbound lanes. While the slide was controlled, a lot more snow came down than anticipated. There were no injuries or cars trapped in the slide. CDOT crews conducted avalanche mitigation this morning, which resulted in snow coming across all travel lanes. Crews are working to remove the snow pack at this time. CDOT estimates an extended closure as clean-up crews work to remove snow from the road. CDOT has also closed US 6 at Loveland Pass due to avalanche control work.

Motorists traveling on westbound I-70 before the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels will be turned around at Georgetown. Thank you for your patience as we work to reopen the interstate.

— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) March 5, 2019