Exit 241A in Idaho Springs Closes Permanently Today
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY – The first step to building the new Exit 241 bridge in Idaho Springs involves detouring Exit 241A ramp traffic in this interchange to provide room for the abutments of the new bridge that will be built immediately east of the current structure. The Exit 241A off-ramp from westbound I-70 that takes drivers toward downtown Idaho Springs via Colorado Boulevard closes permanently today, April 27.
While this new bridge is being built, drivers who use this interchange to access downtown Idaho Springs will need to continue to the next off-ramp (Exit 241B) where temporary asphalt, lane striping and traffic control devices will be in place to permit left turns onto westbound Colorado Boulevard (see graphic below).
This temporary configuration will be similar to the redesigned, permanent interchange which will no longer feature two off-ramps when work is complete this fall. All I-70 motorists will use the same Exit 241 ramp to travel east or west on Colorado Boulevard.
The current bridge structure that spans I-70 at the Exit 241 interchange will remain open until traffic is moved onto the new bridge this fall.
This bridge reconstruction is being done as part of the $72 million Peak Period Shoulder Lane Project that is upgrading 13 miles of eastbound I-70 from the Empire junction to Idaho Springs to convert the inside shoulder into a third, optional express lane that can be used during peak travel periods. The project is scheduled to be substantially complete on Oct. 31, 2015, and when finished, the express lane will save drivers nearly 30 minutes in travel time from the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels to the top of Floyd Hill.
PROJECT INFORMATION: For more information on this project, visit www.i70ppsl.com or call the project hotline at 303-223-6581. For information on I-70 travel conditions, visit COTrip.org, download the CDOT Mobile app, sign up forGovDelivery or call 511. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and CDOT’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/coloradodot.