Northeast Colorado Highway Update

October 26, 2011 - TRAFFIC ADVISORY - Northeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 4 - Roads slushy in areas but mostly clear.

BOULDER, LARIMER, LOGAN, MORGAN, PHILLIPS, SEDGWICK, WASHINGTON, WELD, AND YUMA COUNTIES — Although the first winter storm hit hard during the night, maintenance crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation have worked to make sure roadways are clear for motorists and will continue to do so until the storm passes.

Although some areas remain slushy, the mostly-wet roads are providing no major problems. Downed power lines and tree branches are causing some issues, but crews are working to remove debris from the roads and repair power lines as quickly as possible.

As with any storm, conditions vary throughout the region and will continue to do so throughout the duration of storm. Here is a brief update on sections of northeastern Colorado:

  • Boulder: Slushy and wet roads throughout the area and 18 plows in operation will continue to keep roads clear. Downed tree limbs on some roadways are being cleared by crews. Earlier rockfall on State Highway (SH) 119 in Boulder Canyon caused minor delays, but rocks have been cleared and assessment of damage is underway. Additionally, a bus traveling through the canyon lost control and has blocked all lanes of traffic about eight miles east of Nederland. There are no detours available and motorists should expect delays both directions of SH 119 through Boulder Canyon.
  • Brush: Slushy and wet roads throughout the area with 17 plows in operation, including the area’s new tow plow. Bridges, overpasses, and shoulders still being cleared as well as new snow that is falling east of Brush. A video of the new tow plow in action will be available shortly at http://www.youtube.com/cdotmedia.
  • Greeley: Slushy and wet roads throughout the area with 20 plows in operation to keep roads clear. Crews are clearing fallen tree limbs from the roadways and utilities companies are working to repair downed power lines.
  • Loveland: Slushy and wet roads throughout the area with 17 plows in operation. US 287 still closed at Ted’s Place to Wyoming.
  • Sterling: Snow is falling on SH 14, SH 52, and SH 71 but plows are keeping the roadways clear. Altogether, 10 plows are in operation in the area. All other highways, including I-76, are wet but snow is not sticking to the roadways at this time.

CDOT would like to remind motorists to reduce speeds in areas where the roads are wet and slushy. For more information about winter driving in Colorado, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/winter-driving. To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info/ and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot.