I-70 Wildlife Fence in Eagle County

About the Project

The Colorado Department of Transportation and contract partner CC Enterprises of Grand Junction will begin a wildlife fence project along the Interstate 70 corridor near Vail at two separate locations. The project is scheduled start on August 3. The project team will stay in close contact with CDOT maintenance crews in the event of I-70 closures in Glenwood Canyon.

Work will take place along both sides of the I-70 corridor from Mile Point 171.7, by the Minturn interchange, east to MP 173.4 and from MP 178.8 to MP 180.8, east of Vail. Crews will be removing approximately 1.5 miles of unstable fence, repairing broken fence, installing over 5 miles of deer fence and installing 9 wildlife game ramps. The new fence will tie into the existing deer fence and the old fence through Gore Creek will be removed and relocated.

Project Benefits

Wildlife fence keeps animals off the highway and directs them to the game ramps, which provides safe passage for wildlife to exit the highway. When animals use the structure it eliminates the possibility of being hit by a vehicle reducing vehicle collisions and wildlife mortality. The new game ramps will allow animals that have managed to access the highway to safely cross back over.