I-70 West Vail Pass project hibernates for the winter

Travel Advisory

Nov. 21, 2025 - Northwestern Colorado - Significant progress sets up for productive 2025 construction season

Eagle County — Work on the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project, which aims to improve safety and traffic flow on West Vail Pass, is winding down for the season. Crews made significant progress this year, and the project will begin a planned winter hiatus starting on Friday, Nov. 22 until spring 2025.

Winter traffic impacts

  • During the winter shutdown, Interstate 70 will return to its standard configuration with two lanes of travel in each direction. There will be no scheduled lane closures to avoid interfering with winter travel, snow removal and maintenance operations.
  • Motorists should anticipate typical lane and shoulder widths unless there are roadway emergency incidents.
  • The Vail Pass recreation path conditions are weather-dependent. Regular path maintenance will resume in the late spring and summer.
  • Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution, especially during the winter with unpredictable weather and road conditions.
  • Road work will resume in spring 2025.

“We know how important Vail Pass is operationally and economically for our mountain communities, which is why these safety improvements are so meaningful for the overall I-70 corridor,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Northwest Regional Director. “The scale of this project and high-alpine weather requires multiple construction seasons. Each year the project completes new improvements that will help reduce crashes on West Vail Pass.”

Aerial view looking east over the I-70 bridges at Mile Point 185. The westbound bridge is seen on the left with the foundation, columns and piers for the future eastbound bridge immediately beside it.
Aerial view looking east over the I-70 bridges at Mile Point 185. The westbound bridge is seen on the left with the foundation, columns and piers for the future eastbound bridge immediately beside it.

As the project enters the winter shutdown, here’s a look at the work accomplished and what’s still to come.

Work accomplished to date

  • Mass excavation, walls and detour paving for eastbound auxiliary lane construction
    Detour paving began this season along westbound I-70 and was recently completed. This paving work is necessary to accommodate traffic shifts and maintain traffic flows during summer 2025. Mass excavation and extensive wall work were also completed this season in preparation for construction of the eastbound auxiliary lane construction.
  • Eastbound I-70 resurfacing and bridge joint repairs
    This summer, crews resurfaced the right lane of eastbound I-70 between Mile Points 179 and 185 to address seasonal roadway damage. This new pavement will improve the driving experience and contribute to more efficient winter maintenance operations.
  • U.S. National Forest Service (USFS) parking lot
    An improvement taking shape this season off of the interstate is a project in coordination with the USFS to improve the parking lot along Big Horn Road. These improvements will provide more parking for the nearby Gore Lake and Deluge Lake trailheads. Crews will return next season to finish this work.
  • Utilities and fiber optic cable replacement
    CDOT worked cooperatively with Xcel Energy to install about half of the five miles of critical fiber optic conduit in a shared utility trench. Final installation of conduit and fiber cables is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
  • Westbound bridge, improved curve geometry and new wall
    The new westbound I-70 bridge over Polk Creek at MP 185.2 is open to westbound traffic. The bridge has a 100-year design lifespan with improved curve geometry and space for three lanes. This extra area on the bridge provides more room for emergency response vehicles if traffic lanes are blocked, and will accommodate the eventual addition of a third lane along westbound Vail Pass.
  • Relocation of Vail Pass recreation path
    A nearly two-mile section of the Vail Pass recreation path was rebuilt in summer 2022. The recreation trail improvements provide a safer and more enjoyable trail experience and provide room to widen eastbound I-70 for the new auxiliary lane. Careful drainage considerations and new collection basins help to prevent roadway sediment from entering Black Gore Creek.
  • Truck ramp reconstruction
    The emergency truck ramp at MP 182 was reconstructed to remove a sharp right curve that was difficult for truck drivers to safely navigate. The new ramp, which is straight to help prevent rollovers and hazardous spills, has already been used in 24 emergencies since opening in 2021.
  • Highway closure system gate
    Information technology service improvements are underway in conjunction with the utility work for a westbound highway closure system at the I-70 MP 190 interchange and future speed limit and message signs.
Crews build a new retaining wall near the Vail Pass summit.
Crews build a new retaining wall near the Vail Pass summit to create room for the future auxiliary lane.

Improvements scheduled for 2025 to 2026

Roadway widening work to construct the eastbound auxiliary lane will continue in summer 2025. Crews will return in spring 2025 with the focus on roadway widening, completing the eastbound I-70 bridge and wildlife underpasses. Construction also includes an avalanche mitigation system, significant wall work and the remaining portion of the recreation path beneath the new highway bridge.

Significant lane closure impacts are expected to continue in the next construction season due to the nature of the roadway work. Work will be complete by the end of 2026, with construction pausing during the winter.

  • Eastbound auxiliary lane construction
    Construction of the eastbound I-70 auxiliary lane between MP 185 and 190 will continue in 2025. When complete, slower-moving vehicles will have a dedicated space to climb the steep grades over Vail Pass. This new lane will create a buffer between the faster-moving passenger vehicles and slower-moving trucks, addressing the speed differential that often poses a safety hazard along the corridor.
  • Eastbound MP 185 bridge
    Crews will return in the spring to complete construction of the eastbound bridge, the counterpart to the westbound bridge at MP 185.2. Work on the bridge foundation, abutments, columns and piers were completed this summer in preparation for next season.
  • Wildlife crossings
    Substantial work will continue in 2025 on the six wildlife underpasses — two for large animals and four for small to medium-sized animals. These crossings will go under I-70 between approximately MP 187 and 190. Fencing is also being added along the highway between MP 185 and 190 to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions.
  • Avalanche mitigation system
    An avalanche mitigation system will be installed at MP 186. This system will allow CDOT and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to safely monitor and manage a known avalanche slide path and prevent extended interstate closures. Installing this system will require temporary traffic holds of I-70 during rock-scaling operations. More information will be shared in 2025 before this work begins.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

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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