Hole repairs on Hwy 24 will take 1 month, up to $2 million

It will take about a month and up to $2 million to repair a 100-foot-deep hole beside U.S. 24 on Tennessee Pass.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said Friday it hopes to award a repair contract by Tuesday after an emergency bidding process.

A one-mile section of the highway will remain closed in both directions until the repairs are done. CDOT says it hopes to reopen the highway in time for the USA Pro Challenge cycling race, which plans to use the route on Aug. 23.

The hole opened Monday when the soil gave way above an abandoned railroad tunnel that collapsed. Repairs will include stabilizing the tunnel and filling the cavity.

Motorists can still get to locations on either side of the closure, including the Camp Hale recreation area.