Westbound Interstate 70 is closed Tuesday morning near Vail after a semitrailer crashed, blocking both lanes of the highway, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The semitrailer, which was carrying heavy axles, turned over on westbound I-70 near the west end of Dowd Junction, the Vail Police Department said on X around 9:11 a.m. Tuesday.
CDOT officials said the westbound interstate is closed for the crash cleanup and investigation between U.S. 6 and Exit 169 for Eagle, about a mile east of Avon.
“It will take a long while to clean up and a crane or other heavy piece of machinery will be required to reload the axles onto a new truck,” Vail police officials said.
A photo posted by CDOT officials shows the overturned truck spread across both lanes of traffic and the interstate’s shoulder.
Traffic is being diverted onto U.S. 6 at Minturn, but it’s slow going and a backup into Vail is expected, police said. Drivers should avoid traveling west out of Vail if possible and be prepared for delays in the area.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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