Safety-Critical Rockfall to Require Full Closures of I-70 in De Beque Canyon for Mitigation

MESA COUNTY—From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 and Thursday, Aug. 16, CDOT will close both directions of I-70 at exit 49 (the Colorado Highway 65 interchange) to perform rockfall mitigation. Travelers can expect intermittent traffic stops Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14 as crews mobilize equipment and prepare the area for the rockfall operations.

As part of the mitigation, crews will be rock scaling, drilling and blasting to remove several sections of rock in an effort to protect the safety of motorists, and prevent road damage or unexpected closures that could be caused by a natural rockfall incident.

United Companies is the prime contractor for this $4.3 million project.

Travel Impacts

Vehicle closure points will be eastbound at Exit 47 (Island Acres State Park) and westbound at Exit 62 (De Beque).

• 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14:
  • Eastbound and westbound right lane closure
  • Eastbound and westbound 20-minute traffic holds with delays
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 and Thursday, Aug. 16
  • Eastbound and westbound closure of I-70 at exit 49
• Friday, August 17:
  • Eastbound and westbound right-lane closure
  • Eastbound and westbound 20-minute traffic holds with delays