Interstate 25 was closed May 29 in both directions between the Mead and Berthoud exits because of an early morning crash involving two semi-tractors hauling trailers, the Colorado State Patrol reported.
The highway remained closed as of 9:45 a.m., the Colorado Department of Transportation reported on its COTrip.org website and mobile app. A news release from the Colorado State Patrol said an extended closure was expected as crews work to clear the scene. CDOT and the state patrol’s Hazmat Unit were on site assisting with cleanup, and it was not known when the roadway would reopen.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes during the closure.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of I-25 near milepost 247, CSP said in its news release.
A Freightliner hauling office supplies was driving southbound and traveled to the right side of the road, striking a concrete jersey barrier in place during construction in that area. The Freightliner then traveled to the left side of the road, striking a median jersey barrier, the news release said. The Freightliner continued to travel into the northbound lane, where it collided with a semi-truck hauling gasoline. The Freightliner then continued to travel northbound and rolled onto its side, blocking both northbound and southbound lanes.
One driver reported injuries but was not transported from the scene, CSP said in the news release.
About 100-200 vehicles were stuck behind the accident but past the nearest exit at the time of the crash, the news release said. It took about 1-1 1/2 hours to clear those vehicles from the roadway.
CDOT cameras showed no traffic on the highway in either direction between Exit 245 (Mead) and Exit 250 (Colorado Highway 56 and Berthoud) and traffic backed up for several miles in both directions leading up to the closed stretch of roadway.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Interstate 25 closed in both directions between Mead and Berthoud exits