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I-70 reopens east of Grand Junction after mudslide closes roadway

CDOT closed I-70 in both directions at exit 46, Cameo, near Palisade, due to the mudslide just before 7:30.

COLORADO CITY, Colo. —

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) closed Interstate 70 in both directions at the Cameo exit, near Palisade due to a mudslide Wednesday just before 7:30 p.m.

The road reopened a little after 10 p.m.

A message from CDOT's Twitter account said there may still be water and mud on the road and urged drivers to be cautious. 

This closure comes after I-70 in Glenwood Canyon has closed numerous times this summer due to mudslides. 

CDOT automatically closes that flood-prone stretch of highway anytime a Flash Flood Warning is issued by the National Weather Service 

The Grizzly Creek burn scar is located right near the highway, and burn scars are especially vulnerable to flash flooding due to the lack of vegetation to absorb moisture. As a result, flood-driven mudslides are common near or even over the interstate. 

If detouring, CDOT asked motorists to use the northern alternate route, which adds an extra 2.5 hours of travel time. 

Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area should plan on exiting I-70 at Exit 205 at Silverthorne and traveling north on Colorado 9 toward Kremmling or exiting I-70 at Exit 157 at Wolcott and traveling north on Colorado 131 toward Steamboat Springs. 

> Watch video above: I-70 back open in both directions after Glenwood Canyon mudslides

Travelers will continue west on U.S. 40 and then south on Colorado 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Exit 90 at Rifle.  

Motorists traveling eastbound from Utah or Grand Junction can reach the Denver Metro area by traveling the route above in reverse. 

RELATED: Very high risk for flash flooding over Colorado burn scars Friday

RELATED: Very high risk for flash flooding over Colorado burn scars Friday

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