PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. — Independence Pass has reopened to passenger cars after multiple large vehicles got stuck on the narrow and steep road, prompting a safety closure.
CO 82 had been seeing heavy traffic due to the extended closure of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon, where a wildfire continues to burn thousands of acres since it was sparked on Monday.
Independence Pass connects Twin Lakes and Aspen, making it an alternative route to I-70 for drivers headed to the Western Slope.
>>> Watch the video above for a look at the travel difficulties presented by the Grizzly Creek Fire.
RELATED: Glenwood Canyon closure has truckers trying Independence Pass, which is not allowed for semis
While it is now reopened, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) emphasized that’s only for passenger vehicles, and not commercial motor vehicles, camper trailers or RVs. There is a 35-foot length limit in place, CDOT said, and there will be “heavy law enforcement presence” on both sides of the pass to make sure that’s enforced.
Crews will alternate east and westbound traffic along the pass, with flow controlled by flaggers. CDOT said motorists “should expect slow speeds, lengthy travel times and potential delays of up to two hours.”
The official I-70 detour is US 285 to US 50, which goes into Montrose.
The closure of I-70 has prompted to CDOT to ask people on the Front Range headed to the mountains for the weekend to consider going north or south instead of west.
People should be wary of using mapping apps for alternative routes, since they could take people on closed highways or forest service roads.
The latest road closure information is posted at www.cotrip.org.
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