Twin Tunnels Weekly Traffic Advisory

April 4, 2013 - Central Eastern Colorado/CDOT Region 1 - IDAHO SPRINGS – The Interstate 70 frontage road now is functioning as the one-mile detour route for all eastbound traffic, allowing full-scale excavation work to get underway at the Twin Tunnels.

Drivers should anticipate slower traffic and a 35 mph speed limit while the two-lane detour is in place through late 2013.

Please Note: 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 or webpage – www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels

In addition to the detour and initial blasting operations, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will have the following lane closures taking place next week, east and/or west of the Twin Tunnels, for the installation of blast monitoring equipment, setting of barrier and striping, and excavation work:

·         Sunday, April 7

·         6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday – one lane closed, eastbound & westbound

·         Monday, April 8

·         4 a.m. to 5 p.m. – one lane closed eastbound

·         6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday – one lane closed, eastbound & westbound

·         Tuesday, April 9

·         7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

·         6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday – one lane closed, eastbound & westbound

·         Wednesday, April 10

·         7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

·         6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday – one lane closed, eastbound & westbound

·         Thursday, April 11

·         7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

·         6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday – one lane closed, eastbound & westbound

·         Friday, April 12

·         7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – right lane closed eastbound

While these lane closures are in effect, a 35 mph speed limit will be in place and traffic slowing should be expected, primarily during daylight hours.

Adding a third lane to eastbound I-70 from east Idaho Springs to the bottom of Floyd Hill is part of CDOT’s strategy at reducing congestion along one of the state’s busiest corridors which, in turn, will improve gas mileage and air quality.

To receive project updates via e-mail, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the cell-phone icon in the upper right-hand corner.  The link takes you to a list of items you can subscribe to, including I-70 West, Denver to Glenwood Springs. Updates also are available via Twitter @coloradodot and on CDOT’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.

CDOT also has launched a new smartphone application to provide drivers with easier access to I-70 traveler information.  It includes travel speeds and times, road conditions, incidents, road work; and feeds from CDOT's closed-circuit television cameras and alerts.  Text CDOT to 25827 or download CDOT Mobile from your App store.