Expect More I-70 Traffic in Early February

January 30, 2015 - Central/Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising drivers to anticipate heavier than usual traffic on the Interstate 70 corridor during the first half of February, for the Alpine World Ski Championships (AWSC) in Beaver Creek.

More than 125,000 people are expected to attend the two-week event, taking place from Monday, Feb. 2, to Sunday, Feb. 15.   To assist motorists, current information regarding road and weather conditions and traffic delays will be on CDOT’s website www.cotrip.org. The site also provides users with access to all of the traffic cameras and electronic message signs along the corridor.

Real-time information related to highway impacts is available by signing up for CDOT’s email and text alerts.  It can be accessed at www.codot.gov and then clicking on the envelope at the bottom right of the front page, labeled as Email List Signup and selecting I-70 West Denver to Glenwood Springs.  In addition to the cotrip.org website, information also will be available by calling 511. Following CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot) and Facebook also provides current updates.

“During some of the higher traffic periods, some slowdowns should be expected around the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels,” said CDOT Division of Transportation Systems, Management and Operations Director Ryan Rice.  “We’re encouraging drivers to plan their trips accordingly and give themselves enough time to travel to and from their destination, especially if we have winter driving conditions or some other unexpected occurrence.”

For weekend travelers, CDOT will be providing the most up-to-date and real-time road and traffic conditions on I-70 between Denver and Vail via “I-70 Mountain Travel Radio,” which airs every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the winter, coinciding with peak travel times along the corridor.  Listeners can tune in to the live broadcasts either through cotrip.org or the CDOT Mobile app simply by clicking the “Listen Now” play button.

“As with any other major event, we want to do our part to facilitate good traffic flow in and out of the Vail/Beaver Creek area,” added Rice.  “Along with some additional traffic, drivers should be prepared for some slower moving traffic around the main Avon Interchange [Exit 168] during those two weeks.” 

Drivers also should plan on additional travel time during the last couple days of the AWSC since it coincides with the Presidents Day Weekend.

“That’s traditionally one of our busiest travel weekends during the winter,” said Rice.  “We’re strongly encouraging people to change the times their driving the corridor and maybe take advantage of some peak time deals that are available for food and entertainment.”

For a list of all the special Peak Time Deals, check www.GoI70.com/deals.

AWSC spectator information can be accessed at: www.vailbeavercreek2015.com