News Flash

Home

Posted on: March 16, 2023

March 15 Traffic Gridlock in Avon Core

Screen shot of EC Alert Message

The Town of Avon experienced unusual and extreme traffic impacts in the Avon Town Core on March 15 from approximately 4:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m.  At approximately 4:00 p.m., a semi ruptured its diesel saddle tank one mile east of the Wolcott westbound exit on I-70 at MM 158, spilling approximately 100 gallons of fuel.  At 4:27 p.m., the Colorado State Patrol declared it a HAZMAT incident and closed westbound I-70 at MM 163/Edwards exit.  They diverted traffic from two lanes of I-70 onto the Edwards Access Road and then westbound onto US Highway 6 to renter westbound I-70 in Wolcott.  

Avon Police responded with seven Avon Police vehicles and three Public Works vehicles to address the effective parking lot in Avon core. Traffic was not moving for over two hours.

Avon Police diverted traffic off westbound I-70 onto Post Blvd. in an attempt to alleviate the traffic gridlock on Avon Rd.  The sum total of the traffic diversion pushed a tsunami of vehicles during the rush hour onto one lane of westbound Highway 6.  Due to the immense volume of traffic converging into Edwards, there was traffic back up from Edwards all the way to Avon Rd. and Post Blvd. on Highway 6, which exacerbated the traffic gridlock in the Avon Town Core.

Colorado State Patrol HAZMAT and a private HAZMAT cleanup company ECOS arrived on scene and quickly mitigated the HAZMAT spill.  At 8:03 p.m., Colorado State Patrol were able to reopen the westbound I-70 MM 163 closure at Edwards and traffic in the Avon Town Core eased and dissipated shortly after.   

The Town of Avon is evaluating our procedures and communications to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of traffic management in the Avon Town Core area if such an event were to occur again in the future.

We appreciate everyone’s patience last night during this unusual traffic event.

Respectfully Chief Greg Daly

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

vote

August 29 DDA Special Election

Posted on: August 28, 2023
Wildfire mitigation above Metcalf Road in Avon

Wildfire Mitigation in Wildridge

Posted on: August 25, 2023
Wildfire mitigation above Metcalf Road in Avon

Wildfire Mitigation in Wildridge

Posted on: August 25, 2023
SUP Paddler racing towards a yellow buoy

SunsetSUP Race this Friday

Posted on: July 25, 2023
Swimmer in Nottingham Lake with Beaver Creek in background

Nottingham Lake Reopens

Posted on: June 21, 2023
Lake Swimmng SMALL

Nottingham Lake Swim Area Closure

Posted on: June 15, 2023
Dual Brand Hotel

Spring Construction Reminders

Posted on: May 1, 2023
WAP Open

West Avon Preserve Trails Open!

Posted on: April 28, 2023
Metcalf Culvert Repair Project Site Map

Metcalf Road Culvert Repair Project

Posted on: February 17, 2023
Bag Poster Final

No Plastic Bags in Avon

Posted on: January 17, 2023
Mother Daughter Ice Skating

Ice skating returns to Nottingham Lake

Posted on: December 22, 2022
Fall colors around Nottingham Lake

Nottingham Lake Level Lowering

Posted on: October 18, 2022
Utility Work Ahead Sign

Eaglebend Park Closure

Posted on: October 14, 2022
Utility Work Ahead Sign

Eaglebend Park Closure

Posted on: October 14, 2022