CDOT expands text alert notifications on the I-70 Mountain Corridor this summer

Travel Advisory

April 10, 2025 - Colorado - Sign up for text alerts on I-70 Floyd Hill, I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes and I-70 Mountain Express Lanes

Statewide — Planning a trip through the mountains this summer just got easier. Building on the success of the ongoing texting campaign for the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, which has already reached nearly 15,000 subscribers, the Colorado Department of Transportation is now expanding text alerts to cover three key areas along the I-70 Mountain Corridor: the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project and the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes.

In addition to travel notifications found on COtrip.org and COTrip Planner App, motorists can sign up to receive real-time, day-of updates on traffic holds for rock scaling and blasting, emergency road work, and Express Lane availability — making it easier to plan ahead and reach their destination.

How to Sign Up:

Motorists can opt in or out of specific alerts based on travel needs. All updates will appear in a single text thread to easily track I-70 Mountain Corridor project activities.

I-70 Floyd Hill: Text floydhill (one word) to 21000
I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes: Text vailpass (one word) to 21000
Mountain Express Lanes: Text xpresslanes (one word) to 21000

I-70 Mountain Corridor texting service informational graphic showing example of text message and instructions on signing up for I-70 text alerts — I-70 Mountain Corridor texting service informational graphic. All updates will appear in a single text thread to easily track I-70 Mountain Corridor project activities.

Project Information

Text alerts for the I-70 Floyd Hill and I-70 West Vail Pass projects will provide weekly lookaheads and day-of reminders and updates on planned traffic holds for various construction operations. Text alerts for the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes will notify travelers of unexpected closures in the Express Lanes.

I-70 Floyd Hill Project

The I-70 Floyd Hill Project is improving eight miles of the I-70 mountain corridor, from west of Evergreen to eastern Idaho Springs. Rock blasting operations began in October 2024 and will continue through 2026. Rock blasting is necessary to facilitate building bridges and straightening roadway curves to improve safety and sight distance along the corridor.

Stay Connected to the I-70 Floyd Hill project:

Call the project information line at 720-994-2368
Email the project team at: [email protected]
Sign up for text alerts: Text floydhill (one word) to 21000
Visit the project website at: codot.gov/projects/i70floydhill
Sign up for weekly project updates: codot.gov/projects/i70floydhill/alerts

I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project

The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project is designed to improve safety and operations in both directions of the highway between the East Vail Pass Exit at Mile Point 180 and the Vail Pass Rest Area at Mile Point 190. From June to September 2025, the project will require 20-minute traffic holds for rock scaling and helicopter operations for avalanche mitigation fencing installation

Stay Connected to the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project:

Call the project information line at 970-688-8233
Email the project team at: [email protected]
Sign up for text alerts: Text vailpass (one word) to 21000
Visit the project website at: codot.gov/projects/i70westvailauxiliarylanes/construction
Sign up for project updates: subscription.cotrip.org

I-70 Mountain Express Lanes

The I-70 Mountain Express Lanes run adjacent to the free general purpose lanes for 12 miles, from the Veterans Memorial Tunnels in Idaho Springs to Empire. These lanes operate during peak travel times, mostly on weekends and holidays, to improve mobility and provide drivers with a reliable, time-saving travel option. Weather, traffic conditions and construction can lead to unexpected closures of the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes. Real-time text notifications are the most effective way to receive timely updates on Express Lane closures, delays and re-opening times.

Stay Connected to I-70 Mountain Express Lanes

Visit the project website at: codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/westbound-i-70-mountain-express-lane
Sign up for text alerts: Text xpresslanes (one word) to 21000

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:

Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!