EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Authorities reopened a 56-mile stretch of US 24 in eastern El Paso, Elbert and Lincoln counties early Wednesday afternoon after a nearly five-hour closure.

The Colorado State Patrol closed the highway between Falcon and Limon due to a semi-truck accident and dangerous road conditions including icy roads, blowing snow and poor visibility.

Police closed the highway shortly before 8:30 a.m.; The accident occurred 1.5 miles east of the US 24/Peyton Highway intersection in Peyton.

The semi’s trailer was blocking both lanes of the highway and the cab was stuck in a ditch full of snow.

The driver was uninjured and a tow truck got the semi back on the road at 11:45 a.m

A half-dozen drivers who wanted to continue their journey waited in the parking lot of the Corner Store in Peyton until the highway reopened just before 1:30 p.m