GoI70

Posts Tagged ‘skier traffic’

Weekend Travel

Last year on this weekend there was almost zero congestion.  The year before that, the only traffic to speak of occurred eastbound on Sunday with a peak delay of 36 minutes.   Traffic built up quickly at 2:00 p.m., peaked about 3:30, and was completely over just after 6:00 p.m.  This year is different in that there is a one mile eastbound detour in place (see below), but hopefully that won’t add much additional time to the drive. Let us know what your experience was through the detour area with a comment below!

There is a 30-40% chance of precipitation Friday-Sunday, so there might be some fresh snow!

The frontage road now is functioning as the one-mile detour route for all eastbound traffic just east of Idaho Springs, allowing full-scale excavation work to get underway at the Twin Tunnels. Blasting and/or rock scaling operations will require 20 to 30 minute traffic stops at various times throughout the week, not including peak travel periods such as Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons. The daily blasting schedule will be posted daily on the project hotline, (303) 327-4034, at www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels or by clicking on the “It’s About Time” web button above.

Snow is in the forecast for this weekend with a 90% chance on Saturday and 40% chance on Sunday.  Good snow tires and some extra time might be in order as you travel I-70 this weekend.  Here is what the traffic might look like this weekend, based on historical data….

Westbound to the Mountains
As is very typical for Saturday and Sunday mornings, traffic will build around 6:00 a.m., peak at 8:00, with traffic back to an easy flow by 10:00 a.m.  Expect approximately 10-20 minutes of delay if traveling from Golden to Vail.

Eastbound to the Front Range
On Saturday, skiers and riders might start filing onto I-70 at 2:00 pm.  Delays shouldn’t be too significant barring accidents or weather.  

Sunday is always a bigger travel day on I-70.  Recent years on this weekend, traffic started building at 1:00 p.m., and peaked at less than 30 minutes, and lighted up before 7:00 p.m.   Your best bet to miss most of the traffic heading back to the Metro area will be to stay in the mountains for dinner.  Score a good dining deal, or find a fun way to spend your time in the mountains by checking out our Deals.

Real Time Travel Info

No matter how you like to get your real-time I-70 information, there is a tool for you.  Learn more here.

Enjoy the spring skiing!

The weather forecast is for some precipitation with warm temps on Saturday.  Sunday is expected to be dry and a bit breezy.  We are starting to see spring breakers arrive, but weekend traffic has not been significant on this weekend the last two years.

Your best bet to miss traffic this weekend is to keep the typical winter traffic pattern in mind, and plan to travel off peak.

Typcial Winter Traffic Pattern (early Dec-mid April):

Friday Westbound – Light to moderate traffic from about 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Westbound – Moderate traffic from about 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the peak around 7:30-8:00 a.m. Sunday morning WB traffic is typically lighter than Saturday morning.

Saturday Eastbound – Traffic builds around 2:30 p.m., peaks around 4:00-5:00 and drops dramatically after 6:00 p.m.

Sunday Eastbound – I70 starts to fill up earlier than it does on Saturday, as early as 1:30 or 2:00 p.m., traffic peaks around 4:00-5:00 and drops off soon after 6:30 pm.

Bad weather and accidents can escalate the level and duration of congestion dramatically. Check Cotrip.org or the CDOT mobile app, plan accordingly and avoid the jam!

For the latest info

GoI70 has had some technical issues recently.  CDOT has developed some great tools to keep you informed of the latest road and traffic conditions.  Check them out:

CDOT Mobile App – Download the app from your app store or by texting “CDOT” to 25827

Text Alerts for I-70 mountain corridor via GovDelivery – Sign up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CODOT/subscriber/new

Email Alerts for I-70 mountain corridor via GovDelivery- Sign up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CODOT/subscriber/new

Website – CoTrip.org   

Mobile Website – CoTrip.org/mobile

Call 511 from any phone.

Have a great weekend!

The weather forecast calls for snow tonight into Saturday which will bring out lots of skiers this weekend.  Saturday could see both snow and wind, making travel a bit tricky.   Plan for the weather and to have lots of friends on the road.

Westbound to the Mountains

Friday:  Afternoon/evening delays should be very minimal.

Saturday:  Last year, there was a peak 10 min. delay right around 8:00 a.m.

Sunday:  There were very minimal delays on past Sundays.

Eastbound to Front Range

Saturday:  Delays were minimal (only 12 minutes) on this Saturday the previous two years. 

Sunday:  Last year on this Sunday, traffic started at 11:00, peaked with a 25 minute delay at 3:00, and was flowing free by 6:00.  Your best bet is to stay in the high country for dinner, shopping or night skiing.  Check out the Deals offered by corridor businesses!

REMEMBER, CDOT has frequently metered traffic eastbound on Sunday evenings which means delays at the tunnel.   Metering is done entirely for safety reasons and is not a congestion management tool.  Metering avoids a situation where traffic would be at a standstill in the tunnel, making emergency services access virtually impossible.

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

This will be a popular weekend in the mountains!  Fresh snow is sure to attract powder-starved skiers, and Saturday and Sunday weather is supposed to be sunny. In addition, this Sunday last year saw very high eastbound traffic volumes.   Plan your trip right, and you should be able to avoid the I-70 jam!

This Weekend’s Traffic:

Westbound to the Mountains
Friday:  The roads are already snowy, and snow should continue late into the evening.  Plan on a slower-than-usual drive to the high country.

Saturday:  Expect up to an extra hour of travel time to reach the mountains this Saturday if you don’t plan your departure well.  Plan to leave before 6:00 am to miss the rush, and traffic should taper off soon after 10:30 a.m.

Sunday:  Delays on this Sunday in recent years peaked at a 15 minute delay right around 8:00 a.m. 

Eastbound to Front Range

Saturday:  Historically, this day in previous years has yielded a very typical weekend traffic pattern.  Traffic builds at 2:00, peaks at 4:00 and drops off very soon after 6:00 p.m.  Last year, this Saturday saw only 15 minute delays.

Sunday:  Delays on this Sunday last year were fairly significant from about 1:00-6:30 p.m.  Traffic started to build at 11:30 a.m. and peaked later than usual, at  just after 5:00 p.m.  

REMEMBER, CDOT has frequently metered traffic eastbound on Sunday evenings which means delays at the tunnel.   Metering is done entirely for safety reasons and is not a congestion management tool.  Metering avoids a situation where traffic would be at a standstill in the tunnel, making emergency services access virtually impossible.

Mountain Deals
Want a reason to stay off I-70 on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and evening?  Local businesses are giving you lots of options.   Check out their Deals here.

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

Several corridor resorts support efforts to reduce I70 traffic by offering carpool incentives.  Check out how you can get a reduced lift ticket, close-in parking, or a parking discount here!

Weekend Travel Forecast:

Snow is forecasted for this weekend with the best chance for accumulation happening Saturday night into Sunday.  Weather can easily throw a monkey wrench into I-70 travel, so keep an eye on Check GoI70.com/mobile before you jump on the highway.

Here is the traffic you might expect this weekend, based on historical data:

Westbound to the Mountains

Only very minor delays are expected Friday evening.  Saturday traffic the past two years built up quickly at 6:00 a.m., peaked at 8:00 a.m. with delays ranging from 30-65 minutes.  Traffic tends to drop off dramatically around 10:00 a.m.  There were no westbound morning delays on this Sunday in February the last two years.

Eastbound to Front Range

Past Saturdays, eastbound congestion started at 2:00 p.m., peaked at 4:00 and dropped to almost no delays just after 6:00 p.m. 

Last year on this Sunday folks headed for home earlier resulting in traffic building closer to 10:00 a.m.  Traffic peaked with a 50 minute delay between 2:00-4:00, and was non-existent by 6:00 p.m.*

*REMEMBER, CDOT might meter traffic EB on weekend evenings for safety reason, which can sometimes cause additional delays.  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, 

We are expecting a very busy weekend on I-70, especially on Sunday.   Vail is hosting the popular Mountain Games, and snow is in the forecast!  See what the typical travel patterns for this weekend are below.

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 approximately 30 minute delays.  There were delays of less than ten 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 of cars on the road at Noon, a peak at 5:00 and diminishing traffic at 6:00 p.m. 

Last year on this Sunday, traffic got thick around 11:00 a.m. and lasted later into the evening than usual.  Typically, traveling eastbound after 6:00 is a safe bet to avoid traffic, but based on last year, you might plan a departure as late as 7:30 p.m.

Metering
If traffic is heavy around the Eisenhower Tunnel this weekend, it is possible that CDOT will meter traffic.  The primary reason for this procedure is the safety of the traveling public.  During metering, CDOT controls the flow of traffic at the tunnel when vehicle volumes cause traffic to back up within the tunnel.   CDOT doesn’t want such backups in the tunnel to occur as emergency personnel would not be able to respond to a medical emergency, accident, fire, or other problem, in a timely manner.

Need a diversion while you wait out the traffic?  Ceck out the weekend DEALS offered by local-area businesses.

Have a great weeekend!

If there was ever a weekend to stay late in the mountains to enjoy More Mountains. Less Traffic, this is the one!

In 2011, this was the heaviest traffic weekend of the winter season.  In 2012, it was very, very heavy as well.    Here are some guidelines you might follow to avoid the worst of the congestion:

Weekend Travel Forecast

Westbound to Mountains:
Friday afternoon/evening delays last year peaked at 4:30 p.m. with a 14 minute delay.

Last year, the Saturday westbound traffic was significant between 6:00 a.m. and noon.  The peak delay occurred at 8:00 a.m.

The Sunday westbound delay on this weekend in previous years was very minimal.

Eastbound to the Front Range:
If the Saturday pattern follows last year, it will build at 2:00 pm, peak between 4:00 and 6:00, with delays ending just before 8:00 pm. 

This Sunday last year – well, it wasn’t pretty.  Traffic started to build at noon, peaked at a  two hour delay between 4:00 and 6:00, and the traffic didn’t dissipate until almost 8:00 p.m.

 
to receive the most current road closure and traffic delay info.

This is a great weekend to take a bus or van to the mountains.  Check out any one of the four ski bus/van services running day trips up the I-70 corridor:  Colorado Mountain Express, Denver Ski Bus, Front Range Ski Bus, and University Ski Bus. An overview of their services are here.

For those of you that like skiing in blue bird conditions, this weekend is for you!  The forecast is for lots of sunshine all weekend.  On a three day holiday weekend, Monday traffic usually mimics the typical Sunday traffic patterns.  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 moderately heavy.  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.   For Sunday and Monday expect traffic to build by around 1:30 pm and decrease dramatically after 6:00 pm, accidents withstanding.  Plan on heavy eastbound traffic Monday afternoon between 1:30 and 6:00 p.m.

Check GoI70.com from your mobile device before jumping on I-70.  If traffic is already building, take advantage of some of the Deals offered by local corridor businesses.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend!