KUSA — KUSA - Northbound Interstate 25 in downtown Denver has reopened after an hourslong closure on Thursday following a five-vehicle crash that resulted in a fuel-spill.
The Colorado Department of Transportation first tweeted about the crash and ensuing closure at around 7 a.m. Thursday. Traffic was backed up for miles during rush hour on both the interstate and alternate corridors like Federal and Sheridan boulevards.
The interstate fully reopened around 3 p.m. CDOT said via Twitter that roadway inspections came out fine, but crews will keep checking on it the next few days to make sure it stays that way.
The Denver Police Department tweeted at 10 a.m. to expect the closure to continue for at least three to four hours due to cleanup.
Thursday morning, CDOT told commuters to “expect extremely long delays” and recommended alternate routes.
Denver Fire Department spokesperson Greg Pixley said four people were injured in the crash. Two of them were taken to the hospital, and are expected to survive.
Firefighters applied a foam blanket to the spilled fuel -- something intended to keep it from igniting. Temperatures are expected to soar to the high 90s Thursday afternoon, something Pixley said actually helps cleanup efforts.
"Being that this is a fuel spill, it actually does help us because it evaporates at a quicker rate," he said.
RTD tweeted that due to the crash, buses are being detoured in the area, specifically the FF, LD, 120X, 122X lines.
If you take public transportation, you can see if your route is impacted by the crash here: bit.ly/2idekmB
