I-70 traffic holds in Glenwood Canyon next week

Travel Advisory

April 27, 2023 - Northwestern Colorado - Crews will conduct safety-critical rock scaling operations

Glenwood Springs —The Colorado Department of Transportation and the City of Glenwood Springs are working collaboratively to perform safety-critical operations in Glenwood Canyon next week, weather permitting. Traffic will be periodically stopped on Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Traffic stops are anticipated Tuesday, May 2- Thursday, May 4. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be affected. Traffic stops are necessary to perform rock scaling operations and barrier replacement near the Glenwood Canyon recreation path and on an access road that leads to a City of Glenwood Springs infrastructure. Work will take place at Mile Point 117.8 near the No Name Tunnel.

Vehicles will be stopped for approximately 10 minutes while crews perform the work. The queue of stopped vehicles will then be released before traffic is stopped again and the process repeats.

Rock scaling is a proactive measure to remove the rocks, preventing a potential rockfall onto I-70 and the recreation path. Road closures must occur during daytime hours because the rock scaling crews need the daylight and visibility to conduct work and clear debris.

The work will help make sure the City of Glenwood Springs can perform necessary maintenance on city facilities. The annual maintenance takes place each spring in preparation for runoff from snowmelt.

Traffic Impacts

  • Motorists should plan for traffic stops on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon on Tuesday, May 2 through Thursday, May 4. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be affected
  • Rockfall mitigation work and traffic stops will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Traffic stops will last approximately 10 minutes. More than one traffic stop may take place each hour
  • Motorists should be prepared to slow down when approaching stopped traffic

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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