Lane and Ramp Closures Planned for Eastbound I-70 Between Empire Junction and Idaho Springs

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY—Final paving and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) work is scheduled for the I-70 Mountain Express Lane along eastbound Interstate 70 from Empire Junction to Idaho Springs.

Construction crews are taking advantage of the lower traffic volumes this time of year by scheduling work that requires various lane closures between Empire and Idaho Springs, as well as a full eastbound on-ramp closure at Exit 240. During these lane closures, drivers should plan for up to 30-minute delays in the area.

Paving work is being done to improve drainage in the Idaho Springs interchange area, and will involve milling and re-paving all three lanes of eastbound I-70 at Exit 240, along with the Exit 240 on-ramp. ITS work is being done to aid in effective incident management and to provide better information to travelers along the corridor.

Paving work at the Idaho Springs interchange is scheduled for:

Thursday, Oct. 20

• 4 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  Double lane closure; one lane will remain open to traffic.
• 2-7 p.m.
  Single lane closure; two lanes will remain open to traffic.
• 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Full closure of the Exit 240 on-ramp to eastbound I-70

Friday, Oct. 21

• 4 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  Double lane closure; one lane will remain open to traffic.
• 1-7 p.m.
  Single lane closure; two lanes will remain open to traffic.
• 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  Full closure of the Exit 240 on-ramp to eastbound I-70

From 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Oct. 17-19, there will be single lane closures at various locations on eastbound I-70 between Empire and the Veterans Memorial Tunnels for ITS work. These closures will be short in duration and length.

Some of these closures will allow for the use of the I-70 Mountain Express Lane, with no toll to ease congestion. Westbound I-70 will not have closures related to this work.

CDOT reminds drivers that the I-70 Mountain Express Lane is typically only open weekends and holidays. When the Express Lane is not open, roadway signage indicates it is closed and is used as a shoulder for emergency purposes.