Snow, ice snarl traffic on Interstate 25’s Monument Hill
Snow and ice that challenged drivers Tuesday on Interstate 25’s Monument Hill melted almost as quickly as it accumulated.
The spring storm brought winter weather back to the area, causing vehicles to spin out or slide off roads, but only a few crashes were reported.
The storm was particularly troublesome for semitrailer drivers who were surprised by the conditions and didn’t have chains on their tires. One driver actually stopped in traffic to apply his chains, while other drivers pulled over or parked at truck stops to wait for conditions to improve.
“I’m on my way from Amarillo, Texas, and since I’ve left there, I’ve seen rain, hail and snow,” said truck driver Robert Vaught. “It seems to be worse here. But I don’t want to wait it out too long and get further behind schedule. I want to get back on the road.”
The grade of Monument Hill and the weight hauled by semitrailers makes it difficult, if not impossible, for those vehicles to get over the hill in winter weather conditions.
Martin Mrhahm was traveling from vacation in Arizona, back home to South Dakota, when he was caught in the storm.
“My flasher starts beeping,” he said, while sitting in his car at a truck stop. “So I’m calling my dealer to find out why it’s beeping. As a danger, I don’t know if it’s because it’s slippery, or because I’ve got too much snow on the car.”
Jason DeWalle, of Fountain, planned to drive to work in Castle Rock but made it no farther than the hill.
“My buddy is actually going to come and pick me up,” he said. “He’s got a four-wheel drive that has a little more traction. He’s going to pick me up. Headed back home. They already told me to go home and stay home.”
By 9 a.m., the snow and ice had melted — thanks to repeated spraying of liquid salt by road crews.
But it was too late for many stranded vehicles.
Some drivers said they hope the late spring storm will lessen the wildfire danger next month, a time when many fires start in Colorado.
Tuesday’s snowstorm was the second-latest in Colorado Springs’ recorded history, with up to 14 inches reported in the Monument area.
