If you were trying to get anywhere on I-25 today, you already know the vibe was basically "parked." It wasn't just one of those normal slow days. A major multi-vehicle wreck near the "Big I" in Albuquerque turned the northbound side into a complete mess, while several smaller incidents up in Colorado kept commuters on their toes.
Honest truth? It’s a mess out there.
The Big One: Albuquerque Rollover Crash
Around 3:00 PM today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Albuquerque Police Department and fire crews scrambled to the scene of a nasty four-vehicle collision. It happened right on northbound I-25, initially reported near Lomas Blvd but later clarified to be closer to Indian School Road.
One of those four cars actually rolled over. That’s usually a recipe for a total shutdown, and today was no exception.
Emergency responders had to work fast. Four people ended up with injuries, though thankfully, the latest word from the scene is that none of them are life-threatening. By 3:30 PM, NMDOT was flashing signs everywhere telling people to find an alternate route. The "Big I" was down to just one right lane, which, if you know that interchange, means traffic was backing up for miles.
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By 3:43 PM, things shifted again—two left lanes were closed. Tow trucks finally showed up around 4:05 PM to start hauling the wreckage away. While the lanes eventually started to trickle back open, the ripple effect on traffic through the heart of Albuquerque lasted well into the evening commute.
Colorado’s I-25 Headache
While New Mexico was dealing with rollovers, Colorado had its own set of "I-25 traffic accident today" problems. It wasn't just one spot; it was a string of bad luck from Fountain up to Lone Tree.
In Fountain, a car stopped dead in the roadway northbound near Mesa Ridge Parkway (Mile Point 132.2). It sounds small, but when you're doing 75 mph and hit a stationary object, it’s anything but. Then, further north in the Centennial area, Waze users were flagging a large object in the road between County Line Road and Dry Creek Road.
Imagine dodging a stray ladder or a piece of tire tread at highway speeds. Kinda terrifying, right?
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Why This Stretch is Always a Problem
Look, we've all been there. You’re driving through the North I-25 corridor near Mead or Berthoud, and suddenly the speed limit drops to 65 mph because of construction.
Currently, there’s a massive project widening the lanes and adding Express Lanes. Between CO 66 and CO 56, crews are constantly shifting barriers. Tonight, starting at 9:00 PM, they’re closing the left lanes again. If you’re driving that stretch after dark, you’ve got to be hyper-aware.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been pretty vocal about the "South Gap" and the North I-25 projects, but the constant lane shifts and narrow shoulders make even a minor "fender bender" turn into a three-hour delay.
Current Construction Closures to Watch
- Pueblo: Right lane closures near 13th Street for street sweeping tonight until midnight.
- Castle Rock: Bridge construction at Crystal Valley Parkway has the right lane closed from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
- Albuquerque: Ongoing work on the Montgomery Blvd bridge. Expect major overnight detours onto the frontage roads if you're traveling between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Survival Tips for the I-25 Commute
Honestly, the best thing you can do is stop relying on just one app. Google Maps is great, but Waze often catches those "object in road" reports faster because of the user community.
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If you see a crash ahead on the 511 map, don't wait. Take the exit. In Albuquerque, 2nd Street or University can be lifesavers when the Big I is clogged. In Northern Colorado, the frontage roads are okay, but they often get overwhelmed the second I-25 stops moving.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Live Feed: Before you turn the key, check the COtrip.org map for Colorado or the NMDOT "NMroads" app for New Mexico. They update lane closures in real-time.
- Respect the "Move Over" Law: If you see flashing lights, move over a lane. It’s not just polite; it’s the law, and with the narrow lanes near Mead and Castle Rock, it saves lives.
- Plan for the "Night Shift": If you're driving after 8:00 PM, expect at least one lane closure for construction. Add 20 minutes to your ETA.
Traffic is moving again for now, but on I-25, that can change in a heartbeat. Stay safe out there.