A freight train derailment north of Pueblo has shut down both northbound and southbound lanes of I-25. Photo courtesy of CDOT.
News update as of 6:00 p.m. Monday evening: the National Transportation Administration has updated the number of cars involved in the freight train derailment north of Pueblo to around 30 rail cars. The accident is being investigated and the removal of coal and bridge materials from the interstate may take another two days to clear.
A freight train derailment north of Pueblo on Sunday afternoon around 4:45 p.m. October 15, has closed I-25 in both directions until at least late Monday afternoon.
The closure around Mile Point 107.38 involved six to seven train cars and the coal the cars were carrying, spreading it across both lanes of I-25.
The derailment has caused significant damage to the railroad bridge crossing I-25. Both northbound and southbound lanes will remain closed until crews can make further assessments and give more specific updates. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance patrols are assisting with traffic control.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the derailment and are expected to arrive Monday afternoon. It is unknown how long the investigation will take.
CDOT has identified a detour route around the freight train derailment on I-25 north of Pueblo. Image courtesy of CDOT.
Local Traffic Detour Routes:
Motorists who may be south of Fountain and traveling southbound on I-25 towards the City of Pueblo will be detoured to exit 110 toward Overton Road and then toward Jerry Murphy; motorists will then head toward I-25 via westbound Colorado Highway 47.
This access route is recommended for local traffic only.
Suggested Through Traffic Detour Routes:
Southbound: Motorists in the Colorado Springs area traveling southbound are advised to take Colorado Highway 115 toward Penrose and then proceed east on U.S. Highway 50 toward the City of Pueblo.
Northbound: Motorists traveling northbound are advised to exit I-25 at U.S. 50/CO 47 and travel west toward CO 115. Motorists will then head north toward Colorado Springs.
Drivers using CO 115 will encounter a 12-mile-long construction project. Motorists should expect temporary driving surfaces and frequent traffic pattern changes.
Traffic impacts include:
One lane is open in each direction
Reduced speed limit of 45 mph
Width restriction of 11-feet
Suggested Wide-load Detour Routes:
Vehicles over 11-feet wide should seek alternate highway routes as CO 115 has current width restrictions in place. Eastbound: drive east via U.S. 50 or CO 96 to CO 71
Westbound: drive west on U.S. 50 and then use U.S. 285
Recent Comments