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The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has assessed a sinkhole located on I-70 at mile marker 204.5, just west of Silverthorne and has found that there is significant erosion under the Interstate due to heavy water flow from the Old Dillon Reservoir that has overwhelmed the 24-inch culvert under the roadway. As a result, traffic on westbound I-70 has been reduced to one lane for a two-mile stretch of highway (between mile markers 203-205). Only the left lane is open at this time.
Due to concerns about the roadway stability, CDOT is restricting all semi trucks from traveling westbound I-70 at this location. Oversize/overweight vehicles are being diverted to State Highway 9 via US 285. They will not be allowed to travel through the sinkhole area. Additionally, semi trucks (not oversize/overweight) will be detoured off I-70 at US 6 and may use either the Dillon Dam Road or Swan Mountain Road to State Highway 9 and back to I-70 at Frisco. Trucks are heavily discouraged from traveling eastbound I-70 through the same area until CDOT can determine the full extent of damage.
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CDOT crews will be drilling later this evening in an effort to determine how much erosion has occurred and what, if any, damage has been done to the culvert located 20-feet below the roadway. CDOT will be monitoring the highway closely to be sure it can safely handle motor vehicles but may need to close the roadway entirely if the roadway is found to be compromised.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Stacey Stegman,
Public Relations Director
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CDOT used a drill rig last night to investigate the stability of the highway
The old 24-inch metal culvert was corroded
The new 36-inch concrete culvert being installed over the middle and right lanes of westbound I-70
