US 24 Tennessee Pass Sinkhole Update

July 11, 2012 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is keeping US 24 closed indefinitely in both directions to all traffic, including bicyclists, north of Leadville at mile marker 165 near the top of Tennessee Pass after a sinkhole opened up on the southbound shoulder of the highway earlier this week.

Previous CDOT releases indicated that the sinkhole was on the northbound highway shoulder, which was inaccurate.

All motorists, including those who live locally, must continue to use State Highway 91 as a detour. The closure point is at mile marker 165, so access to local businesses and roadways remains possible. Travelers hoping to visit Camp Hale, which is just south of Red Cliff, will be able to do so.

CDOT crews are currently taking core samples in the area, which are soil samples that will help determine the impacts of the sinkhole, as well as the soil composition. Once samples have been evaluated, CDOT can move forward with determining what sort of repairs are necessary and how to go about making them.

CDOT is working with state historians and referencing its archives to build a full history of the tunnel and roadway.