DENVER (CBS4)– Icy conditions on roads across the Denver metro area are causing major issues for drivers on Monday.
Freezing drizzle began falling overnight and many roads had black ice on them when drivers hit the streets for the morning commute.
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Around 8:50 Monday morning, a driver lost control and crashed into the front doors of St. James Catholic church. Church officials told CBS4 the icy roads were to blame, but said fortunately no one was injured.
(credit: CBS)
Denver Public Works says it will had 60 to 70 plow drivers on duty throughout the day focusing on main streets, plowing and dropping deicer as needed. Officials said they will deploy more in the evening Monday as well as Tuesday morning.
Some drivers say the MLK Jr. Holiday helped contribute to fewer vehicles on the roadway but the conditions were very slick across much of the region.
(credit: CBS)
Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation closed Interstate 70 in both directions from Aurora to Bennett just after 6:30 a.m. All lanes of I-70 reopened about 10:20 a.m.
About 15 minutes after I-70 was closed, CDOT closed Interstate 225 from Parker Road to Interstate 70. All lanes of I-225 reopened about 8:20 a.m.
(credit: CBS)
CDOT has more than 100 plows deployed across the state with many along I-25 north toward Loveland and as far south as Trinidad. They will continue to hit the interstate until the roads are clear.
TRAFFIC INFO: Traffic Section