CDOT to close I-70 in Glenwood Canyon for two hours on Wednesday

Travel Advisory

September 21, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado - Closure will take place from midnight to 2 a.m.

GARFIELD & EAGLE COUNTIES - In the early hours of Wednesday, Sept. 23, motorists on Interstate 70 should plan for a closure in Glenwood Canyon for the No Name Tunnel lighting replacement project. Eastbound motorists will be stopped at Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) and westbound motorists will be stopped at Exit 133 (Dotsero). The closure is anticipated to take place from midnight to 2 a.m.  

CDOT and contract partner Casper Electric will be staging equipment and installing the tunnel lighting control center (TLCC) building for the No Name Tunnel lighting replacement project. The TLCC controls the light output of all the tunnel lighting and will allow the traffic operations center in the Hanging Lake Tunnel to monitor the light levels in the No Name Tunnel.

As part of CDOT’s Whole System - Whole Safety initiative, this project will focus on replacing antiquated lighting controls and fixtures with 676 new LED fixtures. The new lighting system will be tied into the Hanging Lake Tunnel Operations Center so the lighting can be monitored and controlled by personnel in the Hanging Lake Tunnel. The updated lights will use less power while allowing more light for the traveling public to have better visibility during the day and night.    

Additional work will consist of: 

  • Slotted drain installation for storm water management
  • Removal of old lighting system and installation of new lighting system.
  • Programming and integration of the lighting control center.
  • The $3.5 million multi-year project began April 2020 and has an anticipated completion date of January 2022.

Other Travel Impacts

Motorists can expect a westbound single lane closure Monday starting at 7 a.m. through Thursday at 7 p.m.  Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Lighting replacements are being performed in coordination with the I-70 Glenwood Canyon surface improvement project and communications will be maintained for the duration of the project.      

PROJECT INFORMATION

Those seeking more information about this project, or with questions or comments, can reach the project team at: 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: 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.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • 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.
  • Be patient!

COVID-19

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks.  As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely. 

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. 

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.