If you were planning a scenic drive from Denver to the high country this past Thursday afternoon, chances are you were strongly advised to postpone your trip. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, motorists were encouraged to steer clear of Interstate 70 and US Highway 285 due to a severe vehicle fire near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels. The incident, which led to the closure of westbound I-70 at the tunnel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, prompted CDOT to turn vehicles around at Beaver Brook and warn of high temperatures on the roads for those stuck in traffic.
The travel snag wasn't just a minor inconvenience. With US 40 offering no relief as an alternative route and US 6 from Golden also leading to a dead end at I-70, travelers found themselves with few options. As such, CDOT suggested postponing travel west on I-70 or south on US 285 from Denver for several hours. While eastbound I-70 did reopen at 2:55 p.m., westbound lanes remained closed for an extended period, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
For those determined to make the journey, CDOT offered a litany of resources for travelers to "know before you go," encouraging them to gather information on weather forecasts, travel impacts, and current road conditions before hitting the pavement. Among the recommended tools were the COtrip.org website and the COtrip Planner app, with real-time updates to aid in travel planning. Furthermore, travelers can subscribe to project or travel alerts, check scheduled construction lane closures, and connect with Colorado DOT's social media channels for the latest advisories.
