I-70 ramp safety maintenance project to begin Sept.18

Travel Advisory

September 14, 2022 - Northwestern Colorado - Night work begins Sunday

Mesa, Garfield, Eagle & Summit Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation will begin night work starting the evening of Sunday, Sept. 18 to update wrong-way detection systems along Interstate 70. Work will take place over a three week period on I-70 exit ramps from the Utah state line to Silverthorne. The project will start at exit 2 (Rabbit Valley) and continue east to exit 205 (Silverthorne), mile points 2-205. Motorists should note that ramp closures will take place only at night or in the early morning hours, and only one exit ramp will be closed at a time. The goal with this schedule is to reduce travel impacts as much as possible. Each ramp is anticipated to be closed for approximately one hour, conditions permitting. Starting the night of Sept. 18, crews will close one exit ramp at a time, beginning at exit 2 eastbound. Crews will then move operations to the next exit ramp to the east.

The project will upgrade existing wrong way detection safety indicators on interstate ramps. Work will primarily consist of closing one ramp at a time while crews access the indication equipment to install the upgraded software. Work will be done on both the eastbound and westbound ramps for a two-hundred and four mile stretch of I-70. Upgrading this equipment has important safety benefits for motorists.

Traffic Impacts

Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. - 5 a.m., Sunday through Friday morning. Work will not take place on Friday nights. A full ramp closure at each exit during active maintenance work is required. At that time, all traffic will detour to the nearest I-70 ramp. Each ramp closure will remain in place for approximately an hour, and will last only as long as is necessary to complete work. The project is expected to last until early October.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

  • Call the project information line at 970-822-7452
  • Email the project team at: [email protected]

Know Before You Go

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.
  • 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!

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