BOULDER — Colorado Highway 119 in Boulder Canyon was opened with one lane of alternating traffic around 4 a.m. this morning after geotech experts determined the slope was stable and additional blasting was not needed on part of the rockface.
This assessment allowed crews to move safely and clear the one lane area. Included in that clearing was the need to blast several large boulders, estimated to be the size of a bus, into smaller pieces that could be hauled away. That additional blasting took place before dark which then gave time for crews to haul away and clear the one lane.
The road will close again at 10 a.m. — which is the normal closure time — to allow crews to continue the cleanup and it will reopen with at least one lane again at 2 p.m.
“We thank everyone for their continued patience as we work through a technically complex effort,”said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “This work is important for keeping people safe when driving in mountain areas, but it’s difficult work and we know that it causes inconvenience for the traveling public during construction.”
After the rockfall from blasting on Wednesday sent 8,000 cubic yards of rock to the road, it was initially determined that another area of rock would need to be blasted which is why the Colorado Department of Transportation said the road would be closed for two to three days.
After given the all-clear by the experts, crews worked through the night to clear about 4,000 cubic yards of rock to make room for the one lane.
No closures are expected for Friday or over the weekend. Regular blasting closure will start at 10 a.m. Monday.
