Rockfall keeps Highway 133 to one lane south of Carbondale in Crystal Valley
CDOT courtesy
One lane reopened after rockfall in the Crystal Valley on Saturday morning closed Highway 133 south of Carbondale but crews will need to work again Sunday to get both lanes open, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
A large rock blocked both lanes about eight miles south of Carbondale, according to Pitkin County Sheriff’s Deputy Monique Merritt who was on scene Saturday afternoon.
As of Sunday afternoon only one lane remained open and traffic was alternating in the area. Crews are hoping to have the road open by Monday morning.
In an update about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, CDOT said the crews were able to break up the larger rocks, but “will need to continue the operation” on Sunday.
The northbound lane reopened about 2:30 p.m. and traffic will continue to alternate through the area, according to the CDOT. “Significant delays” are expected as CDOT officials and engineers remove all of the rock.
“Please take it slow as you drive through this location as we have portable stoplights alternating traffic in the northbound lane,” CDOT said on its Facebook page.
The first alert of the road closure came just before noon from emergency officials in the area. There were no reports or injuries or damage to any vehicles.
Merritt said the rockfall happened near the Nettle Creek bridge, and the rock completely blocked the road.
“One person said it was bigger than a Suburban, but a couple of fire guys came back and said it was much bigger and completely blocking both lanes,” Merritt said.
