A fatal motorcycle accident just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday closed traffic in both directions on Red Mountain Pass.

Shortly before 11 p.m., the Colorado Department of Transportation announced that lanes going both directions had been reopened.

The accident involved at least one fatality, said Trooper Nathan Reed. According to an early report, the motorcycle went off the road at mile marker 88, between the road to Bear Creek and the Engineer Mountain turnoff.

“There’s not much information available at this point, and probably won’t be until (today),” he said about 10:30 p.m. “I understand mountain rescue is on the scene.”

Reed said it can be difficult to determine the cause in a motorcycle accident like this because there is so little evidence left on the road.

The pass has been closed totally or partially for almost two months already this year because of rockslides and avalanches.

Red Mountain was not the only pass closed Tuesday evening. CDOT announced late Tuesday that Poncha Pass on U.S. Highway 285 will remain closed overnight and into Wednesday morning because of a mudslide.

To check ongoing road conditions, dial 511 or visit www.cotrip.org.

abutler@durangoherald.com