I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes | Construction Phase

November 2024 to April 2025

The project is on a planned winter hiatus until spring 2025.

  • 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

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