Adverse Weather on I-70 Mountain Corridor
Adverse weather is causing heavy delays and motorists should anticipate slow travel and plan for the possibility of closures. Motorists are encouraged to prepare their vehicles for winter weather and be prepared to stop along the corridor it escorts are implemented.
Due to winter driving conditions, traffic is moving very slowly at and around the Eisenhower Tunnel. Motorists should prepare to stop in this area and anticipate escorts up to and through the tunnel. In order to ensure public safety in the Eisenhower Tunnel, CDOT may implement metering prior to the tunnel. Metering is used sparingly in this area to ensure that emergency personnel can access the tunnel during an incident. Should weather conditions require it, CDOT will implement vehicle escorts further down the mountain at Silverthorne to ensure that eastbound traffic can move steadily up the hill without having to stop and encounter possible traction issues. This type of traffic control is designed to keep traffic rolling, resulting in fewer delays on a heavily congested weekend in inclement weather.
Winter weather is expected to continue throughout peak travel times today and may continue into tomorrow. Eastbound traffic should anticipate slow traffic due to heavy volumes and winter weather. Historic data shows the likelihood for high traffic volumes and delays returning to the Front Range. Motorists should be advised that when heavy delays due to weather occur, peak times extend later into the evening and drivers should prepare to add extra time to their travels.
CDOT would like to remind motorists that adverse weather and winter driving conditions could occur at any time along this mountain corridor. Motorists should be prepared for the possibility of long delays, as well as changing road conditions. CDOT advises that adequate tires or tire chains are required equipment for mountain travel, as is stocking your vehicle with essentials like water, blankets, windshield washer fluid, hand warmers and non-perishable food items. Preparing vehicles prior to a trip and driving according to conditions is essential to winter travel to both maintain safety and reduce delays
The Colorado Department of Transportation cannot allow backups in or around the Eisenhower Tunnel for the safety of the traveling public. With increased traffic numbers, particularly during weekend peak travel times, CDOT is implementing innovative methods of traffic control to ensure continuous traffic flow in this area. If vehicles are escorting traffic up the mountain, motorists should anticipate stops in Silverthorne or Frisco where they will wait for an escort up the mountain by Colorado State Patrol.
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.
