After mitigation, what’s next for CDOT and the avalanche conditions along I-70

Due to the dangerous avalanche that hit Interstate 70 over the weekend, the Colorado Department of Transportation decided to take extra precautions this week.

Avalanche Mitigation closed I-70 in both directions at Herman Gulch Tuesday as crews created predetermined snow slides to try and prevent future avalanches. (Watch the video HERE.)

However, the concern for an avalanche is absolutely still present, CDOT says. But with the predetermined snowslides, they have reduced the risk greatly.

“Our goal is we want to have control over bringing those slides down instead of mother nature,” said Tamara Rollison, communications manager with CDOT. “So what we did with Bethel Pass and I-70 is that we first closed down I-70 and made a very thorough search to make sure there were not any cars, any motorists, any hikers in the way; and then we detonated the slide.”

Rollison said the risk is greatly reduced because of the mitigation, but it doesn’t mean an avalanche won’t still happen.

“March is still early, we could receive a lot more snow, so we are monitoring slides all the time,” said Rollison.

As for what’s next, CDOT plans on continuing to mitigate and track the conditions, triggering slides when needed.