CDOT Creates Capacity in Colorado’s Mountain Corridor
DENVER, CO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today the agency’s LEAN process identified a solution to create capacity for Colorado’s I-70 Mountain corridor. CDOT is the first agency in the United States to implement this innovative strategy to create capacity on recreational corridors.
“The lack of capacity, resulting in congestion and too-long drive times with friends and families, has prevented many people from visiting Colorado’s mountain communities,” said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. “Skiing is the primary reason people say they moved to Colorado and then stayed here because the summer was actually just as good as the winter ski season. Our LEAN team identified that by adding another day to the week, we can reduce overall congestion on highways and restore the Colorado dream.”
CDOT will implement this LEAN recommendation of new capacity with the addition of one weekend day, or creating an 8th day of the week, designed for recreational skiers and snowboarders to eliminate the Sunday traffic jams on the I-70 Mountain Corridor. The day, appropriately named “Snowday,” will fall right after Sunday. Despite its name, it will be a yearlong day, not intended for only the snowy months.
“It’s our hope that traffic will be staggered with going up on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and coming back on Sunday or Snowday,” said Bhatt. “We are constantly looking for innovative ways to improve traffic congestion, and making eight days in a week is a clear solution. We are currently working through the logistics and challenge of changing all Colorado calendars.”
CDOT is committed to improving safety and mobility throughout the state and will continue to implement such changes to do so.
About April Fools’ Day
April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar (according to infoplease.com). CDOT often partakes in the holiday with releases such as this one. Consider yourself warned.
