US 6 Through Clear Creek Canyon

March 25, 2011 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - JEFFERSON COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will reopen U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon at 2 p.m. today.

Due to water drops and fire in the canyon area this week – which caused soil, land and vegetation on the canyon walls to wash away or shift – the highway was closed to traffic Wednesday night for firefighting operations.

Today, CDOT evaluated slope conditions and determined rockfall mitigation is not needed at this time and the highway can be reopened between State Highway 93 in Golden and the State Highway 119 junction.

However, there remains a higher than normal potential for rockfall due to the recent firefighting efforts. Drivers are urged to use extra caution if they are planning on using Highway 6.

CDOT will continue to monitor conditions in the canyon. In addition, if the Clear Creek Canyon area experiences rainfall over the next several days, CDOT may close Highway 6 to traffic on short notice to maintain traveler safety and to check for any possible rockfall activity.

If the highway is closed, alternate routes include Interstate 70 to U.S. 6 at the bottom of Floyd Hill (Exit 244), and east to State Highway 119 or the Central City Parkway (Exit 243).