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CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. — Both directions of Interstate 70 reopened near the Eisenhower Tunnel Tuesday evening after crews spent most of the day clearing snow and debris from a planned avalanche. 

I-70 was one of four major mountain highways closed Tuesday for avalanche and rockfall mitigation work. The others were U.S. 6, U.S. 40 and U.S. 550.

A 27-mile stretch of I-70 was closed between Empire and Silverthorne. The interstate was closed when Colorado Department of Transportation crews triggered an avalanche, resulting in a larger-than-expected amount of snow crossing all lanes of traffic about 8:45 a.m. near Herman Gulch, about three miles east of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

All eastbound and westbound lanes reopened about 6 p.m.

The cable rail in the median of one portion of the highway was damaged in the slide. Cones are currently in place there and repairs will be made in the near future, according to CDOT. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution in that area.