I-70 Mountain Corridor Travel Increased in 2013
Travel along the I-70 Mountain Corridor saw an overall increase in 2013 with November and December counts through the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel up by more than 73,550 vehicles. Total vehicles through the tunnel in 2013 were 10,894,970, compared to 10,731,613 overall motorists in 2012.
The widening of the eastbound lanes at Twin Tunnels has brought about congestion relief in the area, with the upcoming Peak Period Shoulder Lanes project and others being proposed along the corridor, motorists will see additional relief and shortened travel times in both directions on I-70.
Peak travel months through the Eisenhower Tunnel in 2012 and 2013 were March, July and August. March 2013 saw 1,037,710 motorists, that same month in 2012, 1,010,551 vehicles traveled through. In July and August 2013, combined numbers were 2,232,390, a 40,916 increase from 2012.
The New Year’s holiday always brings heavy traffic counts to the I-70 mountain corridor. This year was no different. With two major holidays falling on two consecutive Wednesdays, high traffic numbers persisted for a two week span leading up to Christmas and through Sunday, January 4. Below shows the numbers leading up to and following the New Year’s holiday.
|
Date |
Westbound |
Eastbound |
Total |
|
12/29/31 |
17,534 |
19,259 |
36,793 |
|
12/30/13 |
20,560 |
20,291 |
40,851 |
|
12/31/13 |
18,602 |
15,512 |
34,114 |
|
1/1/14 |
16,710 |
20,896 |
37,606 |
|
1/2/14 |
19,565 |
22,705 |
42,270 |
|
1/3/14 |
24,742 |
23,509 |
48,251 |
|
1/4/14 |
15,143 |
17,231 |
32,374 |
|
Total |
132,856 |
139,493 |
272,349 |
As we head into 2014, CDOT would like to remind travelers that the winter weather season has just begun. If traveling the I-70 corridor in winter weather conditions, use caution and be mindful of snow plows as they work hard to clear the roadways of snow and ice.
To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Updated road conditions are available at www.cotrip.org or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Download our CDOT mobile app for more information, road conditions and project updates. Up to date information is also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/coloradodot.
