Update: Highway 67 near Cripple Creek

August 13, 2012 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - TELLER COUNTY – State Highway 67 remains closed to all traffic just north of Cripple Creek. Yesterday, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) drill crews drilled into the sinkhole to determine its depth and dimensions and the scope of required repairs.

The sinkhole is contained on the northbound side of the highway, with its depth varying between 20 and 50 feet.

Today, crews built up the shoulder along the west side of the highway as the southbound lanes are stable and unaffected by the sinkhole. CDOT had hoped to open the highway to one lane, alternating each direction of traffic today, but problems with the temporary traffic signal delayed the opening. Tomorrow a new signal will be delivered and if everything goes as planned, the highway could open to one lane (using the southbound lane) sometime before noon on Tuesday.

Approximately 4,000 vehicles use this segment of SH 67 daily. Currently traffic is being detoured onto Teller County Road 81 to Victor and back into Cripple Creek on SH 67. The detour adds between 10 to15 minutes of travel time.

CDOT is moving forward with emergency contracting procedures. A scope of work is being developed and CDOT expects to have a contractor on board by the end of the week to begin repairs. Information regarding how long the repairs will take and other project specifics will be distributed once it is available.

Updated information regarding traffic impacts on this or other CDOT projects is available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511. 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 and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot to check out the video shot from inside the sinkhole.