CDOT to study existing operations of US 6/CO 9 corridor in Summit County

Summit County — The Colorado Department of Transportation and partner agencies are moving forward with a new traffic engineering study to review existing operations of the US Highway 6 and Colorado Highway 9 corridor in Summit County. The US 6/CO 9 corridor serves as an essential roadway for motorists traveling to mountain communities, navigating day-to-day activities within those communities, accessing popular outdoor recreation locations and connecting to Interstate 70. The study will include I-70 exit 205 at Silverthorne.

“CDOT understands the important role the US 6/CO 9 corridor plays for the local economy and nearby communities,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “By working together, we can determine the best approach for how to improve this vital link to many fast-growing mountain communities.”

By reviewing operational improvement options for the US 6/CO 9 corridor, CDOT and local agencies are taking the next step for finding a comprehensive solution to making it safer, smoother and easier for visitors and locals to move through the area.

“I’m grateful to the folks at CDOT for working to improve this essential roadway. As travelers continue to journey to our mountain communities, it is important that we regularly update and improve our roads—for them and for the families that call these cities home,” said Congressman Joe Neguse.

CDOT is paying for the study, which is estimated to cost $500,000. The goal is to begin the study in January 2023.

“The US 6/CO 9 corridor serves as an important access roadway to Summit County for local residents, and for guests visiting from the Front Range and around the world,” said Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue. “Reviewing possible improvements to the corridor is an important step towards making it easier for motorists to get to where they need to go.”

The Town of Silverthorne will also be studying operations on adjacent town streets in correlation with the CDOT study to see if any “off system” improvements could improve the corridor operations.

“US 6 and CO 9, including exit 205, are essential roadways for residents and commuters,” said Town of Silverthorne Mayor Ann-Marie Sandquist. “Improvements will allow our community members to get to work on time, get children to school on schedule and other critical daily activities. We are very much looking forward to working with CDOT on this planning effort.”

CDOT has carried out a long list of improvements to I-70, US 6 and CO 9 in 2022 and 2021. They include:

• Updated and improved traffic signal equipment and timing on intersections throughout Summit County (2022)
• New paved surface on I-70 from approximately exit 205 (Silverthorne) to the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (2022 - phase I)
• New emergency turnaround structure between exit 205 (Silverthorne) and Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel (2021-2022)
• New auxiliary lane between exit 203 (Frisco) and exit 205 (Silverthorne) (2022-2023) (ongoing, to complete in 2023 with an improved 205 EB off ramp)
• New pavement along with bridge rail repairs on westbound I-70 between exit 203 (Frisco) and exit 205 (Silverthorne) (2021)
• Continued efforts to address CO 9 southbound traffic at exit 203 tp prevents traffic queues on WB I-70 mainline