U.S. 50 is closed between Montrose and Gunnison after state and federal transportation officials found cracking on a bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir, causing detours of up to seven hours.

The Colorado Department of Transportation closed U.S. 50 between the intersection with Colo. 92 and mile point 138 on Thursday afternoon based on advice from the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts, agency officials said in a news release.

State and federal transportation officials found problems with the bridge during a safety inspection, which was required because of issues with similar, high-strength steel bridges in other parts of the country.