I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes | Construction Phase

Construction Resumes for 2025

The project has resumed work for the 2025 summer construction season.

  • In May, there will be daily single-lane closures along eastbound and westbound I-70 from MP 185 to 190.
  • From early to mid-June, rock-scaling activities will require traffic holds Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.
  • From mid-June to early September, intermittent traffic holds will occur one or two days a week while helicopters lift avalanche mitigation materials into place.
  • The traffic holds will last for about 20 minutes in both directions, but delays could be longer as the queues are cleared.
  • The Vail Pass Recreation Path will remain open and accessible to riders and trail users this season. There is the potential that recreation trail users will need to be held, just like vehicle traffic on I-70, during rock scaling and helicopter activity. The Vail Pass recreation path conditions are weather-dependent. Regular path maintenance will resume in June.
  • Work will continue until November 2025, with construction then pausing for the winter.

West Vail Pass Text Alerts

The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project is implementing a text alert notification service to notify motorists of expected impacts. I-70 Mountain Corridor travelers are encouraged to sign up for text alerts by texting vailpass (one word) to 21000 to receive real-time, day-of push-updates on I-70 traffic holds.

About the Project

The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project is designed to improve safety and operations in both directions of the highway on West Vail Pass. The project limits extend from the East Vail Exit at Mile Point 180 to the Vail Pass Rest Area at Mile Point 190 and include a wide range of improvements to address the unique nature of Vail Pass. This stretch of I-70 includes steep grades and tight curves and the intermingling of faster-moving passenger vehicles with slower-moving trucks that often results in inconsistent and slow travel times along the corridor.

Project Facts

  • Construction Cost: $325 million
  • Contractor: Kiewit Infrastructure
  • Timeline: August 2021 – December 2026
  • Location: I-70 East Vail Exit to Vail Pass Rest Area
    • City: East Vail
    • Mile Points: 180 to 190
    • County: Eagle

Aerial view of I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project area

Aerial view of I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project area

Project Benefits:

  • Improve safety and traffic flow along eastbound and westbound I-70 at West Vail Pass.
  • Reconstruction of two aging bridge structures at Mile Point 185.3.
  • Relocation of a two-mile section of the Vail Pass Recreation Trail for an improved recreation experience.

Work Schedule:

  • Daytime and nighttime work is possible Monday through Saturday.
  • Expect overnight work and lane closures.
  • Construction continues through 2026.

Traffic Impacts:

  • Reduced lane and shoulder widths along I-70
  • Overnight single lane closures in both directions of I-70
  • Short-term stops of I-70 traffic during evening rock blasting activities. Currently no scheduled blasting activities
  • No traffic impacts during winter shut down December through March