Pro Challenge Shifts to Vail Pass

August 23, 2013 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - VAIL — Cyclists will be racing the clock for 10 miles up Vail Pass as part of the USA Pro Challenge (USAPC) time trial today.

Drivers should expect the following highway and interchange closures (times are approximate):

I-70 right lane closed westbound from the top of Vail Pass into Vail from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Traffic slowing should be expected. No oversized and overweight vehicles are permitted to travel the pass from Cooper Mountain to U.S. 24.
U.S. 6 (Interstate 70 south Frontage Road) eastbound & westbound through Vail – closed 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I-70/East Vail Interchange (Exit 180) closed to traffic to and from I-70 between 11:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should use the West Vail Interchange – Exit 173 – as an alternate. The main Vail Interchange – Exit 176 – will have intermittent off-ramp closures.

The times for delays and closures are estimates only and may be subject to change depending on the pace of the riders, weather, and other unforeseen circumstances. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds drivers to obey road signs, the Colorado State Patrol, and race officials.

In addition to the above closures, spectators need to be aware there is no parking allowed on the shoulder of I-70 and violating vehicles will be towed. Parking will be available in Vail and at Black Lakes near the top of Vail Pass until it reaches capacity. No event parking is permitted at the Vail Pass Rest Area.

Other impacted non-state roadways include Vail Valley Drive, Meadow Drive and Big Horn Road.

Over the next three days, USAPC traveler information will be available at the CDOT website: www.cotrip.org/content/usapcc/. It lists all highways impacted by each race stage, and also refers visitors to official websites for local road closures. The site also contains information for motorists regarding anticipated delays, oversize/overweight restrictions, suggested alternative routes, long-term parking information, and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

For real-time information related to highway impacts, motorists are encouraged to sign up for CDOT’s email and text alerts, available at www.coloradodot.info by clicking on the green cell phone icon. Following CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot) also provides current updates. Daily road closure information during the event will be available by calling 511 from anywhere in the state or by visiting www.cotrip.org.

Tomorrow’s Highway Impacts:

August 24/Stage 6/from Loveland to Fort Collins: I-25 entrance/exit ramps between Loveland/Greeley interchange (Exit 257) and Windsor Interchange (Exit 262), U.S. 34, and U.S. 287. Impacts begin at 11 a.m. and end at approximately 4 p.m.