CDOT Trying To Prevent Further Rock Falls

It’s happened three times in the same spot. So what is CDOT doing to prevent near disasters like the one that happened on Monday?

Safety nets line portions of the canyon west of Manitou Springs, but for some reason, not in the area where rocks slid onto the roadway Monday.

“It’s impossible to mitigate every rock in the state of Colorado,” said Gary Heller, Highway Maintenance Supervisor for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Transportation officials try and monitor the conditions of the rocks, and also use safety nets, especially along Highway 24 between Manitou Springs and Cascade. Unfortunately, CDOT says it also has to work within it’s limited budget and can’t put up nets in every place where there could be danger.

“Anywhere where you have areas that the highway runs through cliffed areas, there are some potential of rocks falling down, but there is constant observation and evaluation of that area,” said Heller.

CDOT is planning a rockfall mitigation project labor day weekend.