GoI70

When making your travel plans for this holiday weekend be prepared for delays, or better yet, plan to avoid the peak travel times!  According to OpenSnow.com, (THE place to get your powder forecast) light snow is expected Friday night, Sunday night, and Monday into Monday night.  Keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Westbound Forecast
Friday – No delays last year, but in 2010 the delays were significant from 3:30-9:30 p.m. 

Saturday – Last year delays ran from 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. and peaked at 27 minute delays.  In 2010, the delays started earlier, ran later and had peak delays at an ugly 72 minutes.

Sunday -The last two years’ delays began very soon after 6:00 a.m. and ended around 9:30 a.m.  Congestion reached a peak delay of 35 minutes right around 8:00 a.m.

Monday-Minimal delays of 10 minutes around 8:30 a.m.

Eastbound Forecast
Saturday-Last year, delays on Saturday afternoon were minimal.

Sunday-Delays the previous two years were not severe, but peaked with a 26 minute delay at 2:00 p.m.

Monday- Expect lots of congestion from 1:30-6:00 p.m.  Metering is possible-see immediately below.

REMEMBER, CDOT occasionally meters traffic EB on weekend evenings which means up to 20 minute traffic stops at the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel. This can cause delays later into the evening than forecasted.  Check GoI70.com/mobile before you jump on the road to see if CDOT is metering, and what the traffic is like at that moment. 

Take your time, stay alert and keep up to date with the GoI70 mobile app at http://goI70.com/mobile

In October 2011, the Colorado Transportation Commission approved $60 million in funding for this project.  According to CDOT, the Twin Tunnel project proposes to immediately address safety issues and improve traffic flow at the Twin Tunnels east of Idaho Springs, one of the most critical congestion bottlenecks on the I-70 Mountain Corridor.  This project would build a third lane on eastbound I-70, beginning west of the Twin Tunnels and continue east to the base of Floyd Hill, where eastbound I-70 currently becomes three lanes.

This option includes flattening the curve on eastbound I-70, just east of the Twin Tunnels, enhancing safety and allowing for increased speed through this section. The project does not include westbound Twin Tunnel or westbound I-70 improvements. Furthermore, this project does not violate the long-term solution for the I-70 Mountain Corridor as outlined in the I-70 Mountain Corridor Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS.)  During construction, traffic will be rerouted around the Twin Tunnels and placed on an improved frontage road.

Implementation Timeline:    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must still approve the project, and is expected to issue a decision by the fall of 2012. If the project receives the federally required approvals, construction would begin in the spring of 2013, and be open to traffic by the end of 2013.

Weekend Travel Forecast:

Here is what history has shown us for this mid-February weekend traffic:

 Westbound to the Mountains

On this Saturday in previous years, traffic delays started at 6:30 a.m. and peaked around 9:00 a.m. with 30 minute delays.  There were delays of under 10 minutes by 10:30 a.m.    The Sunday historic data shows delays of only 20 minutes between 6:00 and 8:30 a.m.

Eastbound to Front Range

The previous years’ Saturday patterns show a build-up at Noon, a peak at 5:00 and diminishing traffic at 6:00 p.m.  Historic data on this Sunday in previous years shows an earlier peak travel time.  Traffic started to build closer to 1:00, peaked between 3:00 and 4:00, and dropped off right around 6:00 p.m.

REMEMBER, it is very possible that CDOT will put either speed harmonization or metering into effect EB on Sunday.  Speed harmonization could start as early as 11:00 a.m. in Silverthorne, and traffic would follow a pace car at a controlled speed to Empire.  Metering means up to 20 minute traffic stops at the tunnel. Metering can sometimes cause the delays to continue past the usual 6:00 p.m. timeframe. 

Check GoI70.com/mobile before you jump on the road to see if CDOT has put these practices into play, and to learn what the traffic is like at that moment.

Thanks to the many travelers who have shared their I70 traffic observations via Twitter.  GoI70 was always intended to offer real-time, traveler-provided information, and our followers are doing just that.  We want to hear from more of you, so tweet @goi70 and be entered to win “Treats for Tweets.”  Many thanks to our prize sponsors Copper Mountain Resort, Dillon Dam Brewery and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area!!

Congratulations recent “Treats for Tweets” Winners:
@PackerFever – wins a Copper Mountain Lift Ticket & $25Dillon Dam Brewery Cert.
@NancyDempsey – wins a Copper Mountain Lift Ticket

Weekend Travel Forecast:

Weather will be the biggest factor east of the Continental Divide although the snow is supposed to taper off in Denver and the foothills Saturday morning.  Very light snow is expected west of the Divide through Saturday, with sunny skies on Sunday. 

Westbound to the Mountains

On this Saturday in previous years, traffic delays started at 6:30 a.m. and peaked around 9:00 a.m. with 20 minute delays.  After 10:30 a.m. you can count on traffic moving pretty freely, barring bad weather and accidents.  The Sunday historic data shows delays of only 10 minutes between 6:00 and 8:30 a.m.

Eastbound to Front Range

The previous years’ Saturday patterns show congestions starting at Noon, steadily increasing to a peak at 5:00 and diminishing traffic at 6:00 p.m.  On Sunday, traffic started to build closer to 1:00, peaked between 3:00 and 4:00, and dropped off just before 6:00 p.m.

REMEMBER, if traffic volumes are very high, CDOT could start metering traffic EB on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons.  This means up to 20 minute traffic stops at the tunnel and can sometimes cause the delays to continue past the usual 6:00 p.m. timeframe.  Check GoI70.com/mobile before you jump on the road to see if CDOT is metering, and what the traffic is like at that moment.

To receive timely info on the traffic delays and road closures,

As directed by House Bill 11-1210, CDOT considered a host of short term mobility solutions for the I70 mountain corridor, and reported these recommendations back to the House and Senate Transportation Committees last month.  While the list is not exhaustive, it is a current prioritized list of recommendations CDOT is considering.  Some recommendations are in process while many of the options would require further studying, identification of funding sources, and local, state or federal authorization.  The full report is available via the I70 Coalition website.

Weekend Travel Forecast

Westbound to Mountains:
Friday afternoon/evening delays were very minimal in previous years on this weekend.   The Saturday westbound patterns show congestion beginning around 6:30 a.m., peaking between 7-7:30, and steadily decreasing with an end to congestion around 11:00 a.m.  The Sunday Westbound delay on this weekend in previous years was very minimal.

Eastbound to the Front Range:
The typical Saturday pattern should hold for this weekend – build at 2:00 pm, peak at 5:00 and delays ending soon after 6:00 pm.  Sunday should follow the same pattern only delays start earlier (1:00ish) with slightly longer delays at the peak.

Enjoy the weekend!

 
to receive current road closure and traffic delay info.

CDOT has announced that speed harmonization will be in place this Sunday, 1/22/12, beginning between 11:00 a.m and noon, through mid to late afternoon.   Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement will “pace” cars at 45-55 mph based on road conditions from Silverthorne to the bottom or Floyd Hill.  If you have experienced Speed Harmonization, what did you think?  We’d love to hear your comments via the Comment section below.

Congratulations Randall M., our first winner of the “Treats for Tweets” promotion.  His prize is a one day Copper Mountain lift ticket.  Big thanks to Copper Mountain Resort!   The next drawing is in two weeks.  Tweet your I70 traffic or travel observation to @goi70 and be entered to win lift tickets and other prizes.

Weekend Travel Forecast:

Snow is expected this weekend with the heaviest snow falling Saturday evening.  Winter driving conditions have a big effect on traffic, so be prepared for potentially longer delays, and for the possibility that traffic might last later into the evening than usual.  Keep an eye on current conditions via GoI70.com/mobile.

Westbound to the Mountains

On this weekend in previous years, Saturday delays started to build soon after 6:30 a.m., peaked around 8:00 and didn’t drop of until after 11:00 a.m.   Sunday morning WB traffic generally tends to be a bit lighter than Saturday, but with the potential big powder day on Sunday, congestion might be heavier than usual and follow the Saturday WB pattern.

Eastbound to Front Range

Previous Saturdays, cars started convening on I70 around 2:30 p.m., congestion peaked at 5:00 and dropped dramatically after 6:00 p.m.  Previous Sundays, I70 traffic started earlier at 1:30 p.m., traffic peaked earlier at 4:30 and dropped off soon after 6:00 pm.

Enjoy the snow!  Please let us hear from you this weekend with a message to @goi70 via Twitter!

This is a great weekend to consider carpooling. Check out SkiCarpool.org to set up or join a carpool, and the Dinosaur Lots just off I70 in Golden are a great place to meet up.  All the details on both are here on GoI70.com.

We could see some fresh powder on Monday!  Light to moderate snow is supposed to start falling on Monday along the I70 corridor.  Monday traffic will mimic typical Sunday traffic patterns, and when you throw in the forecasted snow, it could be a doozy of a drive eastbound.  Keep that in mind as you make your travel plans, and know that staying in the high country until after 6:00 pm is your best bet to avoid the congestion.

Westbound to the Mountains:
Previous years on this same weekend, the Saturday morning westbound traffic was heavier than a typical Saturday morning.  An earlier departure from the Front Range is wise Saturday through Monday.  Plan to be on the road before 7:00 a.m. to avoid the masses.

Eastbound Back to the Front Range:

On this weekend in previous years, the Saturday traffic was fairly spread out, but the rest of the weekend followed the usual pattern.   Plan on the typical weekend travel pattern for Sunday and Monday – eastbound traffic building by around 1:30 pm and decreasing dramatically after 6:00 pm, weather or accidents withstanding! 

Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Tweet your I70 traffic observation to @goi70 and be entered to win lift tickets, and dining gift cards!   Every two weeks, names of anyone who has contributed I70 traffic and road observations to the @goi70 Twitter stream in the previous two week period will be “thrown in the hat.”  Winners will be chosen at random and sent a message via Twitter telling them they are a lucky winner.   

We are looking for quality postings over quantity, but if you submit multiple, informational Tweets, your chances to win will increase.  GoI70 discourages texting and driving, so either pull the car over to text, or ask your passenger to do the submission for you!

The GoI70 project was designed to be a two-way information stream with you, the I70 traveler, providing real time information on corridor travel happenings.  You can contribute by sending a message to @goi70 via Twitter, or by clicking Messages at GoI70.com/mobile.

Thanks in advance for your valuable contributions to GoI70.com.

Weekend Travel Forecast

This weekend is expected to bring snow to the I70 corridor Saturday afternoon and into the wee hours of Sunday.  The typical weekend traffic pattern will hold, but snow can often make the traffic delay greater and last longer. 

West bound traffic on mornings where weather hasn’t been a factor has been fairly spread out this year with only short delays.  This Sunday morning could be a little sloppy through the foothills as the snow is supposed to favor areas east of the Continental Divide.

East bound travelers on Saturday will start hitting the highway around 2:00 pm with a peak delay between 4:00-4:30, and traffic clearing out soon after 6:00 p.m.  The forecasted light snow for Saturday afternoon may or may not complicate things.   The pattern is similar on Sunday except congestion may start earlier – by 1:00 p.m.

Please consider performing a snow dance to Ullr, the Norse God of Winter.   We need snow!!

Going West to the Mountains
You can expect to spend 30 or more minutes longer getting to your destination if you are on I-70 between 7 am and 10 am Saturday, Sunday and possibly Monday.  Check GoI70.com before you hit the road to see if the delays have begun. 

Heading East Back to Denver
Plan on heavy delays starting around 2:00 p.m. and lasting until soon after 6:00 p.m.  This always holds true for Saturday and Sunday, but plan on the same for Monday as it is a work and school holiday for most folks.  Check GoI70.com/mobile before you start your return to the Metro area.  If the traffic is already building eastbound on I-70, kick back and catch something going on in town.  Click here for local Deals and diversions.  You can leave after 6:00 p.m. and still be home in time to put the kids to bed!

Although the wind will continue and there is a chance for snow on Saturday, weather is not expected to be a big factor in weekend travel.

Support Your Local Ski Bus
Denver Ski Bus continues operations, offering luxury rides to Winter Park and Copper Mountain.  Front Range Ski bus is offering one last weekend of FREE service this weekend to Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, and Keystone.  University Ski Bus launches their service January 7 with a special round trip fare of $15 to Breckenridge.  Let’s support these efforts to decrease the number of cars on I70 during these peak travel times!!

Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year!

SkiCarpool.org is excited to help you save money on gas and ‘Make Friends, Not Traffic.’  GoI70.com partners with this successful, long-running nonprofit organization that facilitates carpooling to Colorado resorts through their website. New this year, after posting to the Rideboard, let SkiCarpool post the trip to your Facebook Wall to increase your chances of finding friends to carpool with and spread the word about SkiCarpool.  Go directly to SkiCarpool.org or the GoI70 blog post for details.

Travel Forecast for the Christmas Holiday Weekend

It is expected to be dry in the high country weather over the coming days, so weather should not play a large role in I70 travel this weekend.  Traffic is usually spread out over the many days surrounding the Christmas Holiday, but here is what you might expect:

Westbound to the Mountains
All weekend, if you are on I-70 between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. you can expect to spend approximately 20 minutes longer getting to your destination.

Eastbound to Front Range
On Saturday plan to be on the road by 2:00 to avoid the congestion, or follow the rule of thumb of “Leave after 6, be home by 8.”    Traffic this Sunday (Christmas Day) should be much lighter in volume than a typical winter Sunday. 

Check our website, GoI70.com or GoI70.com/mobile before you hit the highway to learn about current delays.  Happy Holidays from GoI70!

Colorado has yet another new ski bus service, Front Range Ski Bus.  This weekend is their Grand Opening, and in celebration they are offering their service for FREE December 16-18.   They will pick up at Union Station in Denver and the Wooly Mammoth Lot in Golden and drop off at Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and Keystone.  Reservations are required.  Tickets will normally cost $40 for adults and $30 for kids, but according to Marketing Director, Martin Beran, “discounts will be readily available!”  Learn more at FrontRangeSkiBus.com.  The site is still under construction, so click the Contact Us link for reservations.

Speed Harmonization
Speed Harmonization will be in effect this Sunday and will be the first true test of how this exercise works on a high volume winter day.   Data collected from two previous tests indicated Rolling Speed Harmonization created more uniform vehicle speeds, helping to improve safety, reduce traffic crashes and improve traffic flow on the corridor. It also showed very high compliance and that speed differentials were reduced, even between vehicle groupings – a key determinant since wide variations in speed lead to higher probability of accidents which, in turn, substantially increases congestion.

Beginning sometime between 11 a.m. and noon, on Sunday, December 18, a single Silverthorne Police Department (SPD) car will switch on its emergency lights and merge ahead of traffic, starting just east of the Silverthorne Interchange. The police vehicle then will pace eastbound vehicles, at speeds between 45 and 55 mph, to the entrance of the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT).  The SPD then will hand-off to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) inside the tunnel, with the CSP pacing vehicles through the EJMT and east to Georgetown. At that point, the Clear Creek County Sheriff will take over, pacing vehicles to Downieville, with the Idaho Springs Police Department continuing the operation to the U.S. 6 junction, at the bottom of Floyd Hill.  A new pace group is expected to leave Silverthorne about every five to ten minutes, with operations continuing along the 39-mile segment through mid-afternoon. 

Weekend Travel Forecast
Based on recent year’s date for this same weekend, here is what you might expect for traffic patterns this weekend.  Keep an eye on our mobile site, GoI70.com/mobile for the update to date delay info.

Westbound to Mountains
Friday-Minimal delays, approximately 10 minutes, can be expected between approximately 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday-Traffic generally starts to build at 6:00 a.m., peaks at 8:00, and tapers off soon after 10:00 a.m.

Eastbound to the Front Range
Saturday – In recent years, the masses jump on I70 about 2:00 p.m. and traffic tapers off soon after 6:30 p.m.

Sunday – We are entering the season of long Sunday drives home!  Your best bet is to be on the road by Noon, or better yet stay in the high country until after at least 6:00 p.m.  Grab a bite to eat ordo some holiday shopping off your list.  GoI70.com will let you know when it is safe to travel.

 Have  a great weekend!
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