An anticipated closure of U.S. Highway 550 at Cascade Creek that would have impeded traffic for the recovery of a crashed semi truck on Saturday has been canceled.
The Colorado Department of Transportation said Saturday morning CDOT crews and a tow company are in the process of recovering the semi with possible brief delays.
On Friday, CDOT announced the section of U.S. 550 at Cascade Creek, mile marker 51, would close northbound and southbound traffic at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“Our CDOT crews and the tow company on site determined they could recover the CMV (commercial motor vehicle) while keeping traffic moving through the work zone. Although the initial plan was to close the highway, we were able to keep it open,” Adair Christensen, CDOT spokeswoman, said Saturday morning.
Travelers were encouraged by the transportation department to pass through the closure point at Cascade Creek before 8 a.m.
The crash occurred about 2 miles north of Purgatory Resort near mile post 51 on Wednesday night. The crash site is about 26 miles north of Durango and 19 miles south of Silverton.
CDOT recommended Colorado Highway 145 over Lizard Head Pass as an alternative route between Durango and Silverton, but on Saturday said alternatives aren’t necessary at this time.
“Currently, motorists do not need to seek an alternate route. We are urging motorists to take it slow and watch for workers and heavy equipment beside the road,” Christensen said.
U.S. Highway 550 at Cascade Creek was closed Saturday morning while crews recovered a crashed semi truck.
The truck, which was hauling pipe, went off the road Wednesday night, Christensen said.
From about 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the highway was closed for emergency responders.
“It is a very tight hairpin turn right there at Cascade Creek, so it is a common occurrence with semi trucks either losing their brakes or not being aware there is a curve ahead,” she said.
A similar crash involving a flatbed tractor trailer occurred April 17 at the same location.
CDOT Maintenance Supervisor Vance Kelso said in a news release before the Saturday morning update crews would “work swiftly to perform the recovery and we may open the highway to one-way alternating traffic as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Motorists are encouraged to check COtrip.org for the latest road closure updates.
shane@durangoherald.com
Staff reporter Christian Burney contributed to this report.
