CDOT announces brief traffic hold on eastbound US 6 Loveland Pass, today and likely through weekend

December 31, 2015 - Eastern/Central Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - Statewide – The Colorado Department of Transportation, working with the Colorado State Patrol, will implement a traffic hold today for eastbound US 6 on Loveland Pass at mile marker 222 (approximately ½ mile east of Arapahoe Basin ski resort), from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.

These holds are designed as a safety measure to prevent traffic traveling on US 6 from being stopped at known avalanche slide paths due to traffic backups from peak period traffic volumes. 

Traffic holds will be conducted on weekends and holidays beginning at 4 pm.  Traffic holds can last up to but will not exceed 45 minutes.

CDOT’s Colorado Traffic Management Center (see www.cotrip.org) is reporting heavy traffic likely in and out of the mountains along the I-70 corridor this holiday weekend.

Heavy return traffic on I-70 is most likely to be on Sunday. Normally, traffic volume spikes between 2 p.m. and 6 or 7 p.m. Most holidays, the return starts as early as 11 a.m.

CDOT encourages motorists to "Change your Peak time" and travel outside of these congested periods. 

CDOT is reminding motorists to consult the department’s traveler information tools:  

  • Tune in to I-70 Mountain Travel Radio, broadcast every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to hear live broadcasts through CoTrip.org

  • Call 511 anywhere in Colorado for periodically updated road conditions;

  • Sign up for GovDelivery alerts;

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

  • Follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter will not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).

Driving Tips - 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.