News Summary
An overturned shuttle buggy caused major traffic disruptions on southbound Interstate 25 near Park Avenue this morning, impacting thousands of commuters. The incident resulted in one open lane and prolonged travel times, with some delays reaching nearly two hours. Cleanup efforts included addressing a hydraulic fluid leak and righting the heavy vehicle, which weighed approximately 80,000 pounds. CDOT plans to review the disruption factors to enhance future traffic management during peak hours.
Denver – An overturned shuttle buggy caused significant traffic delays on southbound Interstate 25 this morning, impacting thousands of commuters. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. near Park Avenue, resulting in severe disruptions during the morning rush hour.
The shuttle buggy, which is commonly used for transferring hot asphalt in construction projects, flipped onto its side, reducing the highway to one lane. Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber reported that commuters were met with heavy slowdowns, leading to an increase in travel times.
By 6:30 a.m., the drive time from 104th Avenue to downtown Denver had soared to nearly two hours, significantly longer than normal. The accident on southbound I-25 not only affected main highway traffic but also led to congestion on nearby side streets, including Federal Boulevard, N. Pecos Street, and Washington Street. To mitigate delays, traffic experts recommended York Street as an alternative route.
By approximately 10 a.m., the situation worsened when all but one lane of southbound I-25 was closed for safety reasons, further complicating traffic flow as crews worked to clear the incident. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reported that the shuttle buggy weighed approximately 80,000 pounds, making its removal a complex task. Cleanup efforts included righting the shuttle buggy and handling a leak of hydraulic fluid that had spilled onto the highway.
After several hours of traffic chaos, the equipment was finally removed from the highway around 12:23 p.m., marking approximately eight hours since the accident occurred. During this time, traffic backups stretched for miles, creating substantial delays for motorists heading towards Denver.
The delays were exacerbated by the late removal of traffic cones from a nearby resurfacing project, an issue highlighted by CDOT. Following the incident, CDOT announced plans to conduct an after-action review with project teams and contractors involved in the construction work to address the factors that contributed to this disruption.
This significant traffic incident on southbound I-25 underscores the challenges faced by commuters during peak hours and raises concerns regarding construction safety protocols and timely response measures to ensure roadways remain clear and accessible for public use.
As Denver continues to undergo extensive roadwork and infrastructure improvements, it will be essential for all involved parties to collaborate closely to minimize future delays and enhance the reliability of major traffic routes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Garfield Re-2 School District Delays Start of School Year
Additional Resources
- Denver 7
- Wikipedia: Traffic Management
- Denver Post
- Google Search: Traffic Delays Denver
- 9 News
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents I-25
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
- KDVR
- Google News: Denver Construction Traffic
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
