I-70 Twin Tunnels Weekly Traffic Advisory

February 8, 2013 - TRAFFIC ADVISORY - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - IDAHO SPRINGS – Several daytime lane closures will be in place next week in the Twin Tunnels area on Interstate 70 at the east end of Idaho Springs for electrical work and concrete wall construction.

Preparatory blasting also continues about every three days.  Blast days and times will not be available until the day prior to, or the day of, the blasting operation and will be provided by calling the project hotline at (303) 327-4034 or by checking one of the sources listed below.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will implement the following lane closures:

  • Monday, February 11

o   4 a.m. to noon – right lane closed eastbound (east of Twin Tunnels)

o   6 a.m. to 3 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound (west of Twin Tunnels)

o   7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed eastbound & westbound (PLEASE NOTE: This closure is at the west end of Idaho Springs)

o   10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed westbound

  • Tuesday, February 12

o   6 a.m. to 3 p.m. – left lane closed westbound

o   7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

o   11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed eastbound & westbound (PLEASE NOTE:This closure is at the west end of Idaho Springs)

  • Wednesday, February 13

o   6 a.m. to 3 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

o   11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed eastbound & westbound (PLEASE NOTE:This closure is at the west end of Idaho Springs)

  • Thursday, February 14

o   6 a.m. to 3 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

o   11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed eastbound & westbound (PLEASE NOTE:This closure is at the west end of Idaho Springs)

  • Friday, February 15

o   6 a.m. to 1 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

o   11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – left lane closed eastbound (PLEASE NOTE: This closure is at the west end of Idaho Springs)

The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph while the traffic lanes are reduced.

Please be aware that beginning at 10 p.m. on Monday, February 18th, weather permitting, the ramp from eastbound I-70 to Hidden Valley (Central City Parkway- Exit 243) will be completely closed for approximately ten to 11 days for roadway reconstruction.

During the closure, crews will lower the grade of the ramp by approximately two feet to tie into the detour route that will be used during the major reconstruction and blasting of the eastbound Twin Tunnel.  Crews will be working 24 hours a day during the closure to expedite the work.

While the ramp is closed, motorists will travel an additional four miles on eastbound I-70 to Beaver Brook, Exit 247. At the Beaver Brook exit, enter westbound I-70 and travel four miles to Hidden Valley.

Adding a third lane to eastbound I-70 from east Idaho Springs to the bottom of Floyd Hill is part of CDOT’s strategy at reducing congestion along one of the state’s busiest corridors which, in turn, will improve gas mileage and air quality.

To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.  The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, includingI-70 West, Denver to Glenwood Springs. Updates also are available via Twitter @coloradodot and on CDOT’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

CDOT also has launched a new smartphone application to provide drivers with easier access to I-70 traveler information. It includes travel speeds and times, road conditions, incidents, road work; and feeds from CDOT's closed-circuit television cameras and alerts.  Text CDOT to 25827 or download CDOT Mobile from your App store.