A high-traffic bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir has been closed indefinitely after anomalies were found on the structure during an inspection, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced Friday.

The U.S. 50 bridge over the reservoir was closed Thursday evening after cracks were found during an inspection of the bridge, according to CDOT officials.

With the closure, those traveling the major route that cuts across Colorado will be adding hours to their drive.

The bridge on U.S. 50 is west of Gunnison and near the Dillon Pinnacles. It travels over Blue Mesa Reservoir, with the stretch of road serving as a key route between Gunnison and Montrose.

The closure is between mile point 131 and mile point 138, though locals will still be allowed through the closure point to access their residences.

As a result of the closure, those traveling between Gunnison and Montrose will have to take a significant detour, with CDOT recommending travelers use either Interstate 70 to the north or U.S. 160 to the south. The I-70 route takes six hours, traveling about 354 miles, with the U.S. 160 route taking close to seven hours, traveling 331 miles — much longer than the typical hour and 15 minutes it takes to travel the 65 miles between the two cities.

CDOT is working to determine if local seasonal routes could be cleared in order to provide a shorter route between these two cities.

Find additional information here.