UPDATE: Overnight closure of eastbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon Emergency Repairs project cancelled for tonight

Travel Advisory

September 29, 2021 - Northwestern Colorado - Closure will still take place on Friday and now Sunday, weather permitting


GLENWOOD CANYON — The Colorado Department of Transportation has cancelled the planned night closure tonight of the eastbound lanes of I-70 in Glenwood Canyon due to the forecasted weather in the canyon. A closure is still scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1 from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and now planned for Sunday, Oct. 3., to allow work to take place. A safety closure is currently in place on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon between Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs) and Exit 133 (Dotsero) due to a mudflow and a Flash Flood Warning. 

The overnight closures on Friday and Sunday will allow crews to conduct work that is essential to rebuild the eastbound retaining wall that supports the eastbound lanes. Westbound lanes will not be affected and will remain open. The closures will require that eastbound travelers use the recommended northern alternate route (more information below). The eastbound closure point will be Exit 116/Glenwood Springs.

  • Although westbound will remain open, motorists should anticipate a permanent one lane closure at mile point 123.5. westbound the closure is ½ mile long.

  • Several night closures are identified in the contract in order to perform safety critical work that would be difficult to perform under live traffic. Those closures will impact one direction of travel at a time.

  • It is imperative for motorists to drive the posted speed limit through the work zone and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

On July 29 and 31 of this year, the canyon was impacted by several major materials slides, including mudslides. The debris did considerable damage to the interstate at Mile Point 123.5, known as Blue Gulch.

Motorists traveling eastbound are encouraged to utilize the alternate route (please see map below). That route is CO 13 Rifle to Craig, east on US 40 to Steamboat over Rabbit Ears Pass to Kremmling down CO 9 to Silverthorne.

Glenwood detour map

Stay Informed and Connect with the Project

Project information is available at: 

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, 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!

About CDOT

CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.