Avalanche mitigation efforts have closed I-70 in both directions near the Eisenhauer-Johnson Tunnel.
As of Monday afternoon, the Colorado Department of Transportation has estimated that the closure will remain in place from Silverthorne to Empire into the evening as crews work to remove snow brought down on the interstate.
Patrick Chavez, the Mountain Corridor operations manager for CDOT, said they closed the highway near Herman Gulch and Silverthorne to conduct avalanche control, and more snow and debris went across the highway than expected.
"It was eight foot across the eastbound side and 15 foot across the westbound," Chavez said.
Avalanche control involves creating man-made avalanches to prevent larger, more dangerous ones from occurring. Travelers are advised to check cotrip.org for alternative routes.
The closure comes two days after an avalanche closed the interstate between Frisco and Copper Mountain. No injuries were reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
