Click here for a refresher on how I-70 Express Lanes work
Earlier this week, CDOT’s executive team approved a plan to speed up construction on I-70’s brand new westbound Mountain Express Lanes in a push to complete paving by the end of 2020. This is great news for the Corridor and great news for you! But it will mean a little bit of an extension of the I-70 off-peak travel time single lane closures in the interim… However, since the closures are predominantly overnight, they are pretty unlikely to cause you any major impacts. Additionally, I-70 traffic volumes are historically at their lowest during the weeks between the end of fall foliage season and the beginning of December ski season – making this the absolute best time (if there has to be one) to extend closures. This inconvenience is well worth, as this means that…
The westbound Mountain Express Lanes will be OPEN and FREE for the public by the start of I-70’s heaviest ski season traffic!! Tolls will be waived through until the spring, as the lane initially opens for testing of its new equipment. Similar to the eastbound lane, it will be open during peak travel times, and then operate as a should during other times.
Closures are set in various locations between the Veterans Memorial Tunnels and the Empire Interchange though the focus of the construction will be between MM 242 and MM 239 in Idaho Springs.
Nighttime single lane closures:
Westbound-
-Thursday from 5pm through 9am Friday
-Friday from 9pm through 9am Saturday
-Saturday from 7pm through 9am Sunday
-Sunday from 4pm through 6am Monday
Eastbound-
-Monday through Thursday from 7pm through 6am daily
-Friday from 6pm through 10am Saturday
-Saturday from 8pm through 10am Sunday
-Sunday from 8om through 6am Monday
Daytime single lane closures:
While most all single lane closures will take place overnight, westbound I-70 will experience single lane closures from 1pm through 9am on Mondays through Wednesdays. During the 1pm through 5pm peak times on those days, 30 minutes delays can be expected, and drivers should take efforts to adjust their travel plans to morning times when both lanes are open.
Eastbound traffic shift at Idaho Springs:
Beginning the night of Monday, 10/12, eastbound travelers through Idaho Springs will be driving in narrower lanes between temporary concrete barriers. We urge you to use extra caution when driving through this work zone!
Eastbound Express Lane closure:
From the night of Sunday, 10/11 through 11/13, the eastbound express lane is scheduled to be closed. However it can be reopened earlier if traffic volume warrants it.