File photo
U.S. Highway 40 was closed from Rabbit Ears Pass to the Utah border Monday evening because of heavy snow and blizzard conditions.
Steamboat to Hayden stretch reopened
Updated January 28, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
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Steamboat Springs — Officials have re-opened U.S. Highway 40 from Steamboat Springs to Craig. U.S. 40 remains closed from Steamboat Springs east to Kremmling, and the Eisenhower Tunnel on Interstate 70 also is closed to traffic.
Heavy, blowing snow forced the closure of U.S. Highway 40 from the Utah border east to Rabbit Ears Pass earlier tonight. Officials also have closed Colorado Highway 13 from Rifle to Baggs, Wyo., and Colo. 14 from Rabbit Ears Pass to Walden.
Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Scott Elliott reported heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions between Hayden and Craig at about 7:15 p.m., when motorists are being advised to head to the closest town and seek shelter.
Routt County Emergency Management Director Chuck Vale said improving weather allowed the roads to reopen.
Vale said as many as 500 vehicles were caught in the whiteout conditions between Steamboat and Craig, many of them motorists on their commute home. No serious injuries have been reported, although dozens of vehicles slid off roadways.
"Nobody that we're aware of is hurt," Vale said. "That's a good thing."
Poor road conditions also are reported elsewhere throughout Routt County, including along Colo. 131 and Routt County Road 14.
Motorists who made it to Hayden were congregating at the Kum & Go until officials opened the Exhibit Hall at Routt County Fairgrounds. The Steamboat Springs Transit bus taking passengers from Steamboat to Craig was among the vehicles stuck in Hayden, Vale said.
Passengers at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden also were stranded. All evening flights have been postponed or canceled, Vale said.
Law enforcement officials had been stopping westbound traffic at the Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park in west Steamboat. Residents in Steamboat II, Silver Spur and Heritage Park had to turn around and head back into Steamboat.
Vale and Elliott said the whiteout conditions were extremely dangerous.
"It was the worst between Hayden and Steamboat that I've ever seen," Vale said. "You could literally not see two feet in front of you."
Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig are under a snow and blowing snow advisory until midnight. The National Weather Service's Grand Junction forecast office predicts accumulations of 4 to 8 inches in much of the region, with up to a foot of snow possible for the Steamboat Springs area.
Winds will blow between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.
Stay tuned to steamboatpilot.com for updates.
Comments
whoareyou 5 years, 3 months ago
Yep, Bad Roads, This article is right on the money. Still have all the fools who want to pass, Would you believe cars stopped at Twenty Mile outside of Hayden 3 wide because the fools didn't care about the whiteout.
80488mom 5 years, 3 months ago
I thought I was going to die. I was pulled over on the side of the road and saw headlights coming straight at me from vehicles coming the other direction at least three times. It took me 5 hours to get from Steamboat to South Routt. I managed to inch forward and find a few driveways to sit it out a bit.
On the way to work the roads were black ice and I drove by a horrible accident on Hwy. 40 near the Stop and Shop. They were using the jaws of life as I passed.
I need a mental health day and if it's miserable tomorrow morning I'm staying home and taking one.
I just hope and pray that everyone makes it home safe tonight.
paddlefisher 5 years, 3 months ago
I saw that accident too..scary..even scarier some people didn't even slow down..can not figure out whats wrong with those fools..some of the slickest roads weve had in a while
yoyobaby 5 years, 3 months ago
whoareyou -
Agreed. There are some real idiots out there. A line of 20 cars and some idiot has to try to pass. Then they squeeeeeze in making everyone hit their brakes. I had someone pass me on Milner hill..double yellow...line of cars and he couldn't see what was coming up the other side...but he passed anyway. Sometimes I think....I hope this idiot slides off into a ditch. Of course my wish is that he'd be unharmed...but very much inconvenienced. ha
People...slow down. Do you really gain much passing two cars to still be in the pack of 20. Don't forget...that space between my car and the other car is there for a reason...in case they stop...I want the time to stop....my children are in the car with me. Don't sqeeeeeze into my zone. Just turn on the tunes...sit back and drive safe.
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