Crews complete I-70 traffic stops for the day

EAGLE COUNTY – Traffic stops for rock mitigation operations on Interstate 70 through Dowd Canyon will be completed by 12:30 this afternoon.  The Colorado Department of Transportation has been intermittently stopping traffic on eastbound and westbound I-70 since 6 a.m. today.

Geological staff determined enough rock was brought down with today’s operation to allow normal traffic flow to resume on I-70 for now, just west of Vail. 

Additional mitigation operations are expected to be scheduled through Dowd Canyon later this month.  CDOT will provide advance notifications when work is scheduled to resume.

As part of its Whole System – Whole Safety campaign, CDOT prioritizes the removal or the securing of potential, identified hazards such as loose rocks and boulders.  This operation will provide I-70 drivers with a safety enhancement through an area that is prone to rockfall. 

Remember to Slow for the Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers; drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be Patient!

 

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.