Heavy Traffic Anticipated I-70 Mountain Corridor

STATEWIDE – Heavy traffic is expected along the I-70 mountain corridor today, Sunday February 16 and Monday, February 17. Motorists travelling eastbound on I-70 should allow for extra time during peak travel times from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. The traffic volumes are expected to be high throughout the remainder of the weekend and winter is expected to move in late afternoon Sunday, which may affect travel times.

Over 40 snowplows are staged along the I-70 corridor and on Vail pass in anticipation of weather rolling in Sunday evening and expected to deposit two to four inches of new snow along the mountain corridor as reported by the National Weather Service.

Metering may be implemented prior to the Eisenhower tunnel to prevent traffic from backing up inside the 1.7 mile long tunnel. Metering is used sparingly in this area and only implemented when absolutely necessary to ensure public safety in the Eisenhower Tunnel. Should an emergency occur inside the tunnel in backed up traffic emergency personnel would have no way to access the situation. CDOT only implements this metering when absolutely necessary to prevent these backups from occurring as a public safety measure.

CDOT encourages all drivers using this stretch of roadway to be prepared for the possibility of a storm. Stocking your vehicle with essentials like water, blankets, windshield wiper fluid, hand warmers and nonperishable food items is highly encouraged. Preparing vehicles prior to a trip and driving according to conditions is essential to winter travel along this corridor. Should your vehicle become disabled along the roadway, be cautious of motorists if moving outside your vehicle.

CDOT continues to develop strategies to address incident response and is implementing plans to prepare this weekend for heavy volume and possible adverse weather conditions.  Among the strategies that CDOT will employ:

• Expand CDOT’s I-70 West Courtesy Patrol to aid and assist stranded motorists with disabled vehicles
• Work with stakeholders such as commercial vehicle providers to manage traffic flow on the corridor
• Promote good winter driving tips including checking tires for good tread prior traveling into the high country and promote increased used of passenger vehicle traction through chains and alternative traction devices

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. Live road conditions are available at www.cotrip.org, downloading the CDOT Mobile app or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.