CDOT Anticipates Favorable Travel Along the I-70 Corridor this Holiday Weekend

February 13, 2015 - Central/Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - Statewide – Motorists traveling along the I-70 corridor should expect higher traffic volumes based on historic data which places the President’s Day holiday weekend as one of the busiest winter weekends.

Last year, close to 160,000 vehicles traveled eastbound and westbound through the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT).

“Historically, even though not everyone has the Monday holiday off, the commute returning on Monday starts much earlier in the day,” said Rod Mead, Colorado Traffic Management Center Operations Manager.

With the Alpine World Ski Championships (AWSC) wrapping up this weekend in Vail and Beaver Creek there could be an influx of travelers heading west from the Front Range to view events.

“The mild weather has played a tremendous role in everything operating smoothly along the corridor during the AWSC,” stated Steven Gillespie, I-70 Incident Commander. “Motorists who are proactive and utilize our real-time updates to change travel patterns could avoid those peak travel periods back to the Front Range,” he added.

Several of our communications tools for I-70 updates are:

  • The new I-70 Mountain Travel Radio will broadcast 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 I-70. Listeners can tune in to the live broadcasts through either CoTrip.org or the CDOT Mobile app simply by clicking the “Listen Now” play button. CDOT believes that by providing the best and most accurate information, motorists can better prepare for mountain travel.

  • Motorists can call 511 anywhere in Colorado for periodically updated road conditions, or sign up for GovDelivery alerts that offer important travel information.

  • Also, GoI70.com – hosted by the I-70 Coalition – provides weekly I-70 travel forecasts based on historical data and how weather, construction or events may impact the mountain commute.

  • CDOT provides travel information and frequent updates through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

  • The AWSC continues through Sunday, Feb. 15.  Spectator information can be accessed at: www.vailbeavercreek2015.com  

CDOT reminds motorists to allow for extra travel time and to always be prepared when traveling during winter weather events. Winter driving tips can be found online at http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/winter-driving.