Colorado Highway 184 remained closed Thursday morning closed because of flooding, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The highway is closed from the U.S. Highway 491 junction south of Lewis to the Colorado Highway 145 junction near Dolores. There was no estimated time for reopening the highway.
Local traffic was being allowed through, but there was no access to U.S. Highway 491 from Colorado Highway 184 because of the flooding. Commercial trucks are not allowed, and must find alternative routes.
A failed culvert under the roadway east of U.S. Highway 491 backed up 5 acres of water Wednesday, said Vicky Shaffer, Montezuma County public information officer.
CDOT crews are onsite working to replace the culvert, Shaffer said, and county crews were on standby if assistance is needed.
“It could be several days before the problem is fixed,” Shaffer said. “They are having to dig it all up to get it replaced.”
In a Facebook post CDOT stated, “This is a long-term closure, no estimated time for opening.”
Detours for local traffic are available via Road 22.
The flooding was reported Tuesday afternoon less than a quarter mile east of the U.S. 491 junction, and the road was reported closed by CDOT about 5 p.m.
Heavy rain and rapid snowmelt overwhelmed the culvert and contributed to the back up and flooding. Snow and rain is expected to continue in the area Thursday, with mostly sunny skies forecast for Friday.
For updates visit COtrip, Montezuma County Facebook page.
