Although three southbound lanes of Interstate 25 in the Denver Tech Center have reopened, the residual traffic mess is expected to last throughout the night.
Drivers who must take I-25 here can, but the Colorado Department of Transportation urges those that don't have to, to find an alternate route.
The northbound lanes will remain closed overnight after the tanker fire that sparked on I-25 at Orchard Road around noon on Wednesday.
CDOT announced they are waiving tolls on E-470 on Wednesday, so if you chose to take that as an alternate route, you will not have to pay.
E-470 is waiving tolls in response to the I-25 closure from Orchard to Belleview.
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) May 31, 2017
Traffic everywhere in the area will be backed up and slow all evening. But if you have to travel in the area, here are a few options to get around.
If you are traveling south:
Some lanes of I-25 south had reopened on Wednesday evening. CDOT hopes to have the rest of the repairs completed by midnight. You can take these lanes if you would like, but CDOT is still encouraging you take alternate routes in this area.
Exit I-25 at Hampden Avenue and go west. Turn left onto University. Take University south to Arapahoe Road. Turn left on Arapahoe Road and follow it east back to I-25.
If you are traveling north:
Exit I-25 at west C-470. Take C-470 to either the Broadway or University exits. Follow either Broadway or University north to Hampden Avenue. Turn right on Hampden Avenue. Follow Hampden Avenue east back to I-25.
If you are traveling south on I-225 toward I-25:
This ramp has also been reopened. CDOT has still encouraged driver to avoid the area.
Exit I-225 at South Parker Road. Follow it south to Arapahoe Road or E-470. Turn left on either road and follow back to I-25.
If you are traveling a long distance:
If you are going a long way, taking Santa Fe instead of I-25 may be a better option. From the south, get off I-25 at the Santa Fe exit and follow it as far as the Castle Rock area. From the south, you can get to Santa Fe easily on C-470, W County Line Road or E Dry Creek Road and Mineral Ave.
If you are using public transportation:
RTD said on Twitter light rail service for the E, F and R lines are shut down because of the fire. There will also be a delay until buses are able to reach the Bellview and Orchard stations. Riders are asked to used alternation transportation.
