Press Release: Issues Interstate 70 Disaster Declaration
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010
CONTACTS
Nancy Shanks, CDOT, (970) 749-3579
Mindy Crane, CDOT, (303) 757-9469/(303) 880-2136
Evan Dreyer, Governor’s Office, (720) 350.8370
GOV. RITTER ISSUES INTERSTATE 70 DISASTER DECLARATION
Gov. Bill Ritter today declared Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon a disaster emergency due to an early morning rockslide that severely damaged the highway just west of Hanging Lake Tunnel.
The Governor issued an executive order that allows the state to seek federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration to help pay for repairs, which are expected to be ongoing for weeks.
About 20 large boulders crashed down onto the interstate early this morning, causing extensive damage and punching several holes in the highway, including one that is 20-by-10-feet. A 17-mile stretch of highway is now closed, with traffic being re-routed two hours to the north.
Here is the full text of Executive Order D 2010-004:
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor of the State of Colorado and, in particular, pursuant to relevant portions of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act of 1992, C.R.S. § 24-32-2100, et seq., I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order declaring a state of disaster emergency in Garfield County, Colorado due to a severe rockslide.
I. Background and Purpose
Just after midnight on the morning of March 8, 2010, a large rockslide severely damaged Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, near mile marker 125 just west of Hanging Lake Tunnel. Approximately 20 boulders crashed onto the interstate, ranging in size from 3 feet to 10 feet in diameter. The largest boulder weighs approximately 66 tons. The damage to the highway is extensive. There are several holes in the highway, the largest of which is in the westbound lanes, measuring 20 feet by 10 feet. There are over half a dozen additional holes and dips caused by the rockslide. Further, approximately 120 feet of steel guard rail and 100 feet of median barrier are damaged.
A seventeen mile stretch of Interstate 70 is now closed in both directions, between Glenwood, at mile marker 116, and Dotsero, at mile marker 133. The only available detours take, at a minimum, an additional two hours, resulting in an extreme inconvenience to residents of the area and travelers. Repairs are immediately needed and are expected to be ongoing for several weeks.
As Governor, I am responsible for coordinating the response to dangers to the state and people presented by disasters. The Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (hereinafter the “Act”), defines a disaster as “the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damages, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural cause or cause of human origin.” C.R.S. § 24-32-2103(1.5). As detailed in this Order, this rockslide poses an imminent danger to property and potentially injury or loss of life and, therefore, constitutes a disaster for the purposes of the Act.
II. Directives
A. I hereby declare that this rockslide constitutes a disaster emergency for purposes of C.R.S. § 24-32-2103.
B. The State Emergency Operations Plan (“Plan”) is hereby activated. All State departments and agencies shall take whatever actions may be required and requested by the Executive Director Department of Transportation and/or the Director of the Division of Emergency Management, including provision of appropriate staff and equipment as necessary.
C. For purposes of Sections 125 and 120(e) of Title 23, U.S.C., I hereby find that the damage to Interstate 70 constitutes an emergency. The immediate repair and reconstruction of the damaged highway is vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of the State of Colorado; and the Federal Highway Division Administrator is hereby requested to concur in the declaration of this emergency.
D. The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation and Director of the Colorado Division of Emergency Management are authorized and directed to coordinate application to the federal government for funds available for reimbursement and to coordinate application for any other funds available related to this disaster emergency.
III. Duration
This Executive Order shall expire thirty days from its date of signature unless extended by Executive Order.
Given under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado this eighth day of March, 2010.
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor