Clear Creek Canyon tunnel repairs require full overnight closures in June

Travel Advisory

June 8, 2024 - Denver Metro/Central Colorado - Detours will be in place during the full closures

Clear Creek and Jefferson Counties — Beginning Sunday night on June 9, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Lumin8 Technologies will begin repairing Tunnel Six on Clear Creek Canyon (US Highway 6) due to a truck hitting some of the new lighting work last year. The tunnel and work zone are located in Clear Creek Canyon between I-70 Frontage Road (US Highway 40) and Colorado Highway 119. Repairs are scheduled for completion in June.

Project Schedule/Travel Impacts:

The following closures are planned for Clear Creek Canyon between I-70 Frontage Road (US 40) and CO 119:

  • Daytime alternating traffic - Single-lane, alternating travel through the construction zone with flaggers in place to guide traffic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14.
  • Overnight full closure - For the damaged lighting at Tunnel 6 to be completed, full closures are planned from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 9 to Wednesday, June 12 and Sunday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 19.
  • During the full closure, the following detours will be in place:
    • I-70 from westbound US 6: Motorists will take CO 119 northwest to Black Hawk, followed by Central City Parkway southeast.
    • Lower Clear Creek Canyon from I-70: Motorists will take I-70 east to US 6 north into Golden, followed by US 6 west.
    • Motorists should be aware of lane closures and potential lane shifts leading up to the tunnel.
    • There will be a wide-load restriction of 12-foot during working hours.
  • There will be no planned closures during the weekends.

The tunnel repairs will focus on the conduit/lighting system that was damaged. This work will restore the emergency power for the tunnel lights and CCTV cameras.

Please check COtrip.org for weather forecasts, expected travel impacts, and current road conditions before starting your journey.

Clear Creek Canyon (US 6) Tunnel Repair Detour Map
Detour map showing a section of Clear Creek Canyon (US 6) closed and I-70 as the detour route. There are two call-out boxes. One reads, to get to I-70 from westbound US 6, motorists will take CO-119 northwest to Black Hawk, followed by Central City Parkway southeast. The other box reads, to get to lower Clear Creek Canyon from I-70, motorists will take I-70 east to US 6 north into Golden followed by US 6 west.

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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