Eastbound Twin Tunnels Traffic Switch to Final Alignment

The traffic realignment is scheduled to begin 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and will continue until 12 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12. To complete the realignment, eastbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane. For a portion of the traffic switch, one lane of eastbound I-70 will be open on the existing detour route and will then eventually move to its final alignment through the tunnel. All three lanes of eastbound I-70 through the tunnel will open by midnight on Dec.12. All work is weather permitting. For updates on this project, visit http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels.

After just eight months of rock blasting, rock bolting and paving, the third lane of eastbound I-70 between east of Idaho Springs to U.S. 6, including through the Twin Tunnels, will open to traffic next week after a 36-hour traffic switch, weather permitting.

By widening eastbound I-70 through the Twin Tunnels, CDOT will be able to build an Express Lane for eastbound peak periods that uses the shoulder lane. Using the existing wide shoulder from Empire Junction through Idaho Springs, motorists will be able to travel the peak period shoulder lane by paying a toll only during peak travel times. In return, they will have a reliable travel option with consistent speeds that will save motorists an average of 30 minutes in travel time.

The peak period shoulder lane will be constructed and open to traffic in summer 2015.

Although the new lane through the eastbound Twin Tunnel is part of the Express Lane, the fees will be waived until the peak period shoulder lane is complete and open. Meanwhile, motorists can travel the lane for free. For additional information on the peak period shoulder lane, visit the project website at http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/i-70-eastbound.

The Kraemer-Obayashi Joint Venture is the contractor for the $106 million project. Minor work off the roadway will continue next spring and the tunnel project will be completed in the spring of 2014.