Heavy Traffic Ahead, 4th of July marks traditional start of high traffic seas

DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to anticipate heavier than normal traffic and to be prepared for longer drive times on mountain highways and other roads serving recreational destinations this week. 

     All CDOT construction and maintenance projects will be suspended by noon Wednesday to help minimize traffic impacts.  The only exception is for emergency operations.  Projects are permitted to resume work on Monday, July 8. 

     The Independence Day holiday traditionally marks the start of the high traffic season, with summer tourism hitting its peak over the next six to seven weeks.  CDOT is asking drivers to please be safe and prepared since more vehicles will be on the road.  See safe driving tips and information on CDOT’s “Whole System - Whole Safety”below.  

             Motorists should expect significant amounts of traffic along the Interstate 70 corridor, west of Denver, for the next several days.  Traffic headed to the mountains and other recreational areas is expected to peak on Wednesday, and then again on Sunday as traveler’s head back to the Front Range and other points east.    

            The Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels handled a significant amount of traffic during 4^th of July week in 2018: 

           Information on the status of the state’s roadways is available at cotrip.org or by calling 511.

 BE SAFE – BE PREPARED - FOR SUMMER DRIVING

1. Stay Alert.  Plan enough time to stop along the way to stretch, get something to eat and drink, return any calls or text messages, and change drivers if you’re feeling tired or drowsy
2. Avoid Distracted Driving.  The focus always should be on driving.  Avoid using cellphones, texting, eating, and using in-vehicle technologies.
3. Don't drive impaired.  Increased DUI enforcement from July 3 to July 8 
4. Watch for more pedestrians and bikes. Warm temperatures mean more people are outside walking or bicycling.  Slow down and pay extra attention at crosswalks and along roadways.
5. Share the road with motorcycles.  Motorcycles may quickly come in and out of your blind spots due to their speed and size. Always take a second look with more motorcycles out on the road.
6. Obey all posted speed limits.  Or drive slower, if necessary, based on weather or traffic conditions.
7. Maintain proper tire air pressure.  Warmer temperatures can cause tires to be overinflated.
8. Turn your lights on.  Especially during twilight hours, making it easier for other drivers to see you. 
9. Semi-trucks and other large vehicles tend to drive at slower speeds.  Be prepared to slow down, stay out of their blind spots, pay close attention to turn signals and give them extra space to maneuver.  

To heighten safety awareness, CDOT recently announced its Whole System - Whole Safety initiative. This project takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address human factors, physical assets and organizational culture to better support real time operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission - to get everyone home safely.