Less Traffic at Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels in 2010

January 3, 2011 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - CLEAR CREEK/SUMMIT COUNTY – Fewer vehicles went through the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels (EJMT) on I-70 in 2010 than in 2009, the second time traffic has declined in the last three years.

The 2010 EJMT count was 11,391,704 vehicles, less than in 2009 by 343,658 vehicles, representing a 2.9% drop in traffic. In 2008, traffic also was down from 2007 by nearly 225,000 vehicles.

“Our best explanation for the lower traffic numbers is carpooling,” says EJMT Tunnel Superintendent Mike Salamon. “The park-and-ride lots, like those at the Hogback (I-70/Morrison Rd.), are very full on weekends. It’s not scientific by any means, just an observation. If it’s true, it’s a win-win for the environment and better for traffic congestion. And, from what we’re hearing, business appears to be up in Summit County and some of the ski towns as well. We hope that is the case and it continues.”

2010 Monthly Traffic

Date	Eastbound	Westbound	Month Total	Average Daily Total
January	533,709	518,737	1,052,446	33,950
February	460,457	474,835	935,292	33,403
March	520,375	532,951	1,053,326	33,978
April	422,635	400,192	822,827	27,428
May	395,836	401,530	797,366	25,721
June	489,710	498,408	988,118	32,937
July	625,165	599,951	1,225,116	39,520
August	552,589	536,117	1,088,706	35,120
September	468,589	466,683	935,272	31,176
October	400,348	398,213	798,561	25,760
November	373,556	387,142	760,698	25,357
December	444,380	489,596	933,976	30.128
Annual Total for 2010			11,391,704	31,210

2009/2010 Traffic Comparison

Month	2009	2010	Difference

January	1,069,155	1,052,446	(16,709)
February	942,316	935,292	(7,024)
March	1,079,123	1,053,326	(25,797)
April	800,818	822,827	22,009
May	850,766	797,366	(53,400)
June	998,310	988,118	(10,192)
July	1,225,605	1,225,116	(489)
August	1,164,895	1,088,706	(76,189)
September	986,440	935,272	(51,168)
October	817,704	798,561	(19,143)
November	828,875	760,698	(68,177)
December	971,355	933,976	(37,379)

YTD Total	11,735,362	11,391,704	(343,658)