Holiday traffic season set to start

DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to expect heavier than normal traffic for the next few days as people travel for Thanksgiving and begin shopping for the holidays.

State construction and maintenance projects will be suspended by Wednesday afternoon to help minimize traffic impacts.* Projects can resume work, if necessary, late Sunday, with most project restarting work on Monday. The only exception is for emergency operations.

Due to the possibility of snow, motorists heading to the mountains should check road conditions at www.cotrip.org and review weather forecasts before traveling. Please see the link below for safe driving tips during adverse weather.

Thanksgiving traffic at the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels typically is lower than other holiday weekends, especially in 2020 due the pandemic: 

In addition to checking cotrip.org, drivers can get the latest information on the status of the state’s roadways by calling 511. Specific information regarding Interstate 70 is available at: www.GoI70.com.

CDOT winter driving tips is available here: https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/winter-prepardness

*Driver should continue to plan for additional travel time when driving eastbound I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. A lane closure will be in place over the holiday weekend due to the permanent emergency repairs project at Blue Gulch, about seven miles east of Glenwood Springs. Crews are nearing completion on the project, which repairs damage caused by material flows this summer. Westbound lanes in Glenwood Canyon remain open during the holiday weekend.