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CDOT to resume work on I-70 West Vail Pass project

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March 28, 2022, 11:06 am
In early April, work will resume on the Colorado Department of Transportation’s I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project. Residents, freight carriers, tourists and other travelers can learn more about this year’s construction activities during a virtual engagement open house on Thursday, March 31.

Work to improve safety and operations on Interstate 70 from the East Vail Exit at Mile Point 180 to the Vail Pass Rest Area Exit at MP 190 started last year. The first construction season culminated with the December opening of a new emergency truck ramp near MP 182. This year’s work includes relocating a two-mile section of the Vail Pass Recreation Trail and building two bridges to cross the trail over Black Gore Creek. The section of the trail between MPs 185 and 187 needs to be moved farther from I-70 to facilitate the addition of an eastbound I-70 auxiliary lane and the realignment of substandard curves.

Other work planned for 2022 includes completing the westbound highway closure system at the MP 190 interchange, starting construction on the westbound I-70 bridge at MP 185.3 and putting down temporary asphalt for traffic shifts needed during the 2023 construction season. 

This year’s work will involve narrowed lanes and shoulders along I-70, single-lane closures and a temporary detour for the recreation trail that involves using the outside shoulder of eastbound I-70. Concrete barriers will be in place to separate this temporary trail from eastbound I-70 traffic. Rock blasting work is also expected this year. During these short blasts, I-70 traffic and recreation trail users will be stopped in both directions for up to 30 minutes.

Construction will occur April through November each year through 2025. Other improvements being made by this project include:    Adding an eastbound I-70 auxiliary lane with widened shoulders between MPs 185 and 190Modifying curves and widening shoulders along westbound I-70 at MPs 186 and 188Rebuilding the eastbound and westbound bridges at MP 185.3  Building six wildlife underpasses and constructing wildlife fencingInstalling highway closure systems at both ends of Vail PassImproving signage and incorporating Active Traffic Management systemsInstalling variable speed limit signsTo learn more about this project and the construction impacts for this year, join the project’s virtual engagement on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at bit.ly/vailpassopenhouse. The open house will be conducted using Zoom. 

If you can’t log on at that time, the open house presentation will be posted to the project’s website in early April at codot.gov/projects/i70westvailauxiliarylanes/. 
Stay Informed For additional information about this project:Call the project information line at 970-688-8233‬Email the project team at: CDOT_WVailPassAuxLanes@state.co.usVisit the project website at: https://www.codot.gov/projects/i70westvailauxiliarylanesTravelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripappSign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalertsSee scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosuresConnect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Remember: Slow For The Cone ZoneThe following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.Watch for workers. Drive with caution.Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.Be patient!Download the COtrip App!The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!