Night work will minimize impacts, but motorists should watch for work zones and be prepared for a busy travel season
I-70 Mountain Cooridor —The Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor between Denver and Grand Junction will have another busy construction season this spring and summer, into the fall, as the Colorado Department of Transportation is making numerous improvements to the corridor. Go to the I-70 Mountain Corridor page to access larger versions of the maps below.
“CDOT is going to be making a lot of much-needed safety and mobility improvements along the I-70 Mountain Corridor this summer, but drivers can be assured our teams have carefully coordinated across the state to minimize traffic impacts,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Still, summer travel through the high county on I-70 is always busy, so it is always best to plan ahead and be prepared for changing conditions.”
Because I-70 is so heavily used, and the weather conditions in the high country limit the time to do much of the upkeep work on the interstate, CDOT will conduct the work with the least impact as possible to motorists. Most of the lane closures on I-70 from C-470 to the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT) will occur overnight, with daytime work restricted to emergencies and shoulder closures. No lane closures are planned on weekends or holidays. There will also be daytime lane closures on nearby US 6 Clear Creek Canyon while the repaving and safety improvements continue on that stretch.
“If you are headed to the mountains from the Front Range, know before you go so you are prepared for the project work zones you might encounter along I-70 and parallel routes,” said Denver Metro Regional Transportation Director Jessica Myklebust. “From repaving and maintenance work, to adding technology along the corridor to improve travel times, CDOT is hard at work making the I-70 driving experience safer. Thank you for your patience during the summer construction season.”
Motorists heading into the high country should plan for additional travel time on I-70 in Summit County due to a series of roadway projects between Frisco and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels. These projects will significantly improve safety in this popular and heavily traveled section of I-70. Traffic impacts before early July will be the greatest at the exit 205 interchange (Silverthorne) with US Highway 6 and Colorado Highway 9 (Blue River Parkway). Motorists should anticipate delays when accessing on-ramps for eastbound and westbound I-70. Starting in early July, traffic impacts at the exit 205 interchange will shift to I-70 and away from US 6 and CO 9.
“We’re excited to continue making significant safety improvements to I-70 on along the mountain corridor,” said Northwest Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith. “We appreciate your patience as crews improve and expand emergency access, resurface ruts and bumps into a smoother roadway surface, and install updated speed limit signs, guardrail and other infrastructure.”
CDOT encourages freight carriers to anticipate closures at the scenic overlook east of exit 203 (Frisco) and the Vail Pass Rest Area. The overlook near Frisco will remain closed during construction, but will reopen for the winter shutdown period.
The Vail Pass Rest Area will temporarily close starting May 2 for reconstruction of the rest area building and improved access roads and parking facilities. The new facility is designed to meet the high demand for services at the top of Vail Pass. Motorists should anticipate the rest area will remain closed through October 2023. Drivers will still be able to use exit 190 (Vail Pass), but there will not be restroom facilities available. CDOT encourages motorists to use other rest areas nearby, including the Gateway Visitor Center in Georgetown and the Edwards Rest Area in Edwards. Motorists should anticipate rest area closures in Glenwood Canyon if there is rain in the forecast.
Safety closures of I-70 in Glenwood Canyon will be necessary if there is a Flash Flood Warning for the area. If there is a safety closure on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, and the closure is anticipated to last longer than two hours, motorists should use COtrip.org to plan an alternate route. CDOT recommends that travelers use the northern alternate route in most cases, which is Colorado Highway 9 to US Highway 40 to Colorado Highway 13. In the event of an extended I-70 Glenwood Canyon closure before early July, motorists using the northern alternate route should expect delays at the exit 205 (Silverthorne) interchange in Summit County. As mentioned above, construction work will mean delays for access to on-ramps to eastbound and westbound I-70. These delays will be complete in early July.
Motorists should be prepared for heavy traffic along the highly traveled mountain corridor during the busy summer season, give themselves some extra time to reach their destination, drive safely through work zones and check out COtrip.org for the latest road conditions.
Go to the I-70 Mountain Corridor project page for easy to read maps and the latest information on all of the projects.
I-70 MOUNTAIN CORRIDOR PROJECT DETAILS
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Project |
Estimated Schedule |
Closures/Traffic Impacts |
Improvements |
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I-70 Mountain Corridor - Denver to EJMT |
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July 2021- October 2022 |
Daytime single lane closures spanning one mile along US 6 and up to 10 minute traffic holds |
Repave and improve safety for 11 miles of US 6 from CO 93 to CO 119. |
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I-70 Eastbound Active Traffic Management |
July 2022-Summer 2023 |
Overnight single lane closures and possible daytime shoulder work |
Complete a system of variable speed limit (VSL) signs and truck downhill warning systems on the eastbound I-70 Mountain Corridor entering the Denver Metro Area. The project will add 38 VSLs along the Mt. Vernon downgrade of eastbound I-70 into the Denver Metro Area. |
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April-October 2022 |
Overnight single and double lane closures (one lane of traffic will remain open) with potential daytime shoulder closures with minimal impact to motorists |
Repave and improve safety along both directions of this 6.4 mile stretch of I-70. |
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September 2021-August 2022 |
Flagging operations when heavy machinery is moved around and closure of parking lot at Dumont near Clear Creek, crane operations to set pedestrian bridges near MP 240 |
Construct portions of the Clear Creek Greenway trail system at two segments near I-70 between Idaho Springs and Dumont. |
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October 2021- September 2023 |
Motorists can expect a full closure of a portion of County Road 314 (horseshoe bend) and alternating traffic on another section. The trail in this area is also closed. |
Widen and pave a dirt portion of County Road 314 as well as relocate the Scott Lancaster memorial pedestrian bridge. The project also includes bike path improvements and a new steel pedestrian bridge. This route is typically used as an emergency route if I-70 has a closure. |
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Tolling to begin on Westbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane |
The Westbound Mountain Express Lane opened for testing in July 2021 and tolls are expected to begin in summer 2022 |
No construction impacts. Motorists can expect to be tolled when using the Westbound Mountain Express Lane sometime in summer, 2022 |
CDOT completed construction of a peak period shoulder lane, known as the Westbound Mountain Express Lane on I-70 westbound from the Veterans Memorial Tunnel to the Empire interchange. |
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Construction is complete with testing of the signs expected through summer 2022. |
No remaining construction impacts |
Updating variable speed limit (VSL) sign infrastructure along eastbound Interstate 70 between Empire Junction and Idaho Springs, just west of the Veterans Memorial Tunnels. Work included the replacement of 13 aging VSL signs and installation of 13 new VSL signs along the ten-mile stretch. |
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Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT) infrastructure upgrades |
Various project schedules with work starting in summer 2022 |
Minimal daytime traffic impacts, but some overnight lane closures or full bore closures may be needed |
This project addresses high-priority maintenance activities to upgrade aging infrastructure at the EJMT |
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Some construction estimated to begin fall 2022 |
Overnight traffic shifts along I-70 near Genesee when the wildlife crossing work is taking place. Lane closures along US 40 while the roundabouts are built, but two lanes of traffic will be maintained. |
Floyd Hill early projects include wildlife crossings at Genesee and Empire, and roundabouts at US 40 and Homestead Road and US 40 and County Road 65. |
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I-70 Mountain Corridor - EJMT to Grand Junction |
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Project |
Estimated Schedule |
Closures |
Improvements |
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Spring 2021 - December 2022 |
Starting mid May 2022, 24/7 westbound far right lane closure. Eastbound lanes will have occasional temporary closures. Decreased speeds and delays. |
Remove and replace an aging structure under I-70 with a new and wider structure to better accommodate vehicles. |
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May - October 2022
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Overnight single and double lane closures, daytime single lane and shoulder closures |
New asphalt will create a smoother, safer driver experience and help protect against ruts and road damage. Also includes new guardrail, bridge rails repairs and culvert installation |
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April 2022 - September 2023 |
Mostly night work with some daytime work. Until early July 2022 there will be lane closures and delays *underneath* I-70 in Silverthorne; there will be limited lane closures and travel impacts on I-70. In July, work will be focused on I-70. |
Work along eastbound I-70 includes widening, repaving and striping, as well as widening the bridges over US 6 and the Blue River. A longer deceleration lane and improved signage will enhance the safety at the exit 205 off-ramp. Deer fencing also will be installed in both the eastbound and westbound directions of I-70 between MP 203 to 205. The scenic overlook east of exit 203 in Frisco will be built with additional truck parking. |
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Vail Pass Rest Area Replacement |
May 2022 - October 2023 |
Rest area will be closed with no restroom facilities. Backcountry access will continue to be coordinated through the US Forest Service. |
New building, water treatment system, parking, accessibility and improved safety for users. Improvements will also address winter maintenance operational issues and increase capacity for maintenance equipment storage and snow storage on site. |
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I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lane Project: Top and Bottom of Vail Pass |
Summer 2021 - Fall 2025 |
Single lane closures, narrowed lanes and shoulders. Temporary detour for the recreation trail (trail will remain open). At times there will be traffic and trail holds for rock blasting work. Users will be stopped in both directions for up to 30 minutes. |
This year’s work includes relocating a two-mile section of the Vail Pass Recreation Trail including building two trail bridges over Black Gore Creek, initial bridge foundation work at MM 185 for the WB bridge replacement, and pavement widening on I-70 between MM 185-189 to allow for detours in 2023. The first construction season culminated with the December opening of a new emergency truck ramp near MP 182. |
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Vail Wildlife Fencing |
August 2022 to Summer 2023 |
Shoulder closures with speed reductions |
Replace and add wildlife fence along I-70, located west and east of Vail on I-70 (MP 181-178 and MP 171-173) |
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May-Fall 2022 |
Occasional single lane closures and reduced speeds. Occasional 30 minute traffic holds may be necessary. |
Various repairs in response to summer 2021 material flows. |
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I-70 Rockfall Fence Repairs and Improvements
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December 2021 - spring or summer 2022 |
Single-lane closures and reduced speeds. Occasional 30 minute traffic holds may be necessary. |
Rockfall fence repairs, rock scaling and debris removal in response to summer 2021 material flows. |
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April - November 2022 |
Single lane and shoulder closures. Additional travel time and reduced speeds. |
New cable rail and guardrail installed in locations near Silt and New Castle, which will significantly improve motorist safety. |
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I-70 Parachute to Rulison Repaving |
April - September 2022 |
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