Westbound I-70 from Tower Road to Colfax Reduced to One Lane

AURORA – Beginning Friday, February 14 at 8 p.m., westbound traffic on I-70 from Tower Road to Colfax Avenue will be reduced to one lane. During this time, the westbound traffic will be crossed over to the eastbound lanes for approximately six months. In addition, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, February 14, alternating lane closures will be in place to complete the traffic switch into the eastbound lane.

This work is necessary to demolish and reconstruct the westbound bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad and Smith Road. Beginning January 29, the left hand lane of I-70 eastbound from Tower Road to Colfax Road was closed for approximately six months. Originally, the design for this project included two year lane reductions along this stretch taking each direction of I-70 down to one lane through summer 2015.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reconstructing the 2 ½ mile segment of Interstate 70 between Tower Road and Colfax Avenue (U.S. 40/287). Work for this project will consist of removing the existing asphalt and replacing it with concrete pavement, shoulder widening, and new bridges over the Union Pacific Railroad and Smith Road. The project also includes new drainage ponds, guardrails, curbs and gutters, signing and striping.

The bridge demolition and reconstruction that is part of this project will replace a bridge that is at capacity.  The bridge currently in place will be replaced with a bridge that can handle the volume and speed of traffic traveling that stretch of road. The new bridge will also include wider shoulder lanes that will improve safety for all motorists as well as allow for future expansion to 3 lanes each direction.

During this phase of construction, the on ramp from northbound Tower Road to eastbound I-70 and the on ramp from northbound E-470 to I-70 will not have dedicated acceleration lanes. Please use caution in these areas and be aware of surrounding traffic.  Motorists traveling in this area are encouraged to allow for extra time to get to their destinations and to use caution. By removing and replacing the bridge in two segments traffic flow can continue on this stretch of road with lane reductions.

Speed limits in the area have been reduced from 75 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour, this is an active construction area on a busy stretch of roadway please go Slow In The Cone Zone. All work is dependent on weather and subject to change.

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.