Prepare for Big I-70 Traffic Weekend

February 6, 2015 - Central/Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is advising drivers to anticipate higher traffic volumes on the Interstate 70 corridor this weekend due to the combination of ski traffic and the Alpine World Ski Championships (AWSC) in Vail and Beaver Creek.

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.

The second weekend of February traditionally is a heavy traffic ski weekend since snow depths tend to trend upward and the pro football season has concluded.

Traffic slowdowns also are anticipated at the main Vail (Exit 176) and Avon (Exit 168) interchanges since a lot of traffic will be parking in both town to shuttle to AWSC viewing sites.

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

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 thecotrip.org website, information also will be available by calling 511. Following CDOT on Twitter (@coloradodot) and Facebook also provides current updates.

For weekend travelers, CDOT is 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.            

In addition to all the informational sources, CDOT is reminding drivers to make sure their vehicles have safe winter tires.  Bald or worn tires cannot grip the road and can be extremely hazardous.  One year ago this weekend, of the 22 vehicles that spun out and blocked traffic or caused an accident on I-70 west, 19 of those 22 vehicles had bald tires.  Curious if you need new tires?  Take the quarter test:

  • Insert a quarter into the tire tread upside down, with Washington’s head going in first
  • If the top of George’s head is covered by the tread, your tires are OK – do this test at multiple points around each tire
  • If the top of his head is visible at any point around the tire, you need new tires