I-70 Mountain Corridor Weekend Travel

Those traveling the corridor on Saturday should expect to encounter adverse winter weather and expect delays to increase due to the conditions. All motorists are encouraged to prepare their vehicles accordingly for conditions.

Returning traffic on Saturday and Sunday should also anticipate slow traffic. Historic data shows the likelihood for high traffic volumes and delays returning to the Front Range. If traffic or conditions dictate, CDOT will implement Safety metering and/or escorts led by plows and state troopers eastbound along I-70 to ensure public safety inside the tunnel during high volume times or poor weather times. Travelers are encouraged to “Change Their Peak” and travel outside of the busiest hours of 1 pm and 7 pm if possible.

CDOT would like to remind motorists that adverse weather and winter driving conditions could occur at any time along this mountain corridor. Motorists should be prepared for the possibility of long delays, as well as changing road conditions. CDOT advises that adequate tires or tire chains are required equipment for mountain travel, as is stocking your vehicle with essentials like water, blankets, windshield washer fluid, hand warmers and non-perishable food items. Preparing vehicles prior to a trip and driving according to conditions is essential to winter travel to both maintain safety and reduce delays

In order to ensure public safety in the Eisenhower Tunnel, CDOT may implement metering prior to the tunnel. Metering is used sparingly in this area to ensure that emergency personnel can access the tunnel during an incident. Should weather conditions require it, CDOT will implement vehicle escorts further down the mountain at Silverthorne to ensure that eastbound traffic can move steadily up the hill without having to stop and encounter possible traction issues. This type of traffic control is designed to keep traffic rolling, resulting in fewer delays on a heavily congested weekend in inclement weather.

The Colorado Department of Transportation cannot allow backups in or around the Eisenhower Tunnel for the safety of the traveling public. With increased traffic numbers, particularly during weekend peak travel times, CDOT is implementing innovative methods of traffic control to ensure traffic flow moves continuously in this area. If vehicles are escorting traffic up the mountain, motorists should anticipate stops in Silverthorne or Frisco where they will wait for an escort up the mountain by Colorado State Patrol. Troopers will be stationed ready to lead waves of motorists up the mountain and through the Eisenhower Tunnel.

CDOT may implement metering to help increase public safety in the Eisenhower Tunnel.  Metering is used sparingly in this area to ensure that emergency personnel can access the tunnel in the event of a fire or incident. Should weather conditions require it, CDOT may also implement wave escorts further down the mountain at Silverthorne allowing eastbound traffic to move steadily up the hill without having to stop and encounter possible traction issues. Wave escorts are designed to keep traffic rolling, resulting in fewer delays on a heavily congested weekend in inclement weather. When implemented, motorists should anticipate stops in Silverthorne or Frisco where they will wait for an escort up the mountain by Colorado State Patrol or CDOT plows.

Are you wondering what to talk about this weekend when the I-70 traffic gets bad? Tell people that they have options. They can Change Their Peak Time by taking advantage of actual discounts after 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday, like $2 off daily admission at the Town of Silverthorne Recreation Center, or 10% off all food at the Alpine Restaurant & Bar in Georgetown, or 2 for 1 appetizer at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Breckenridge. More discounts are added regularly, and all of them can be found at www.goI70.com/deals.

CDOT’s Change Your Peak Time campaign began this year and works to encourage motorists to skip the mountain return rush between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and choose instead to “Press Play, Avoid Delay” by spending extra time having fun in the mountains rather than spending that time in peak traffic. CDOT has partnered with the I-70 Coalition, a consortium representing the mountain communities and resorts, to give travel tips and travel forecasts, and to offer discounts, deals and incentives for travelers interested in avoiding traffic by staying in the mountains for an extra hour or two. Peak Time Deals at www.goi70.com are updated regularly, and list locations of restaurants, entertainment options and retailers along the I-70 corridor offering weekend discounts.

CDOT continues to develop strategies to address incident response and is implementing plans to prepare this weekend for heavy volume and possible adverse weather conditions.  Among the strategies that CDOT will employ:

•      Expand CDOT’s I-70 West Courtesy Patrol to aid and assist stranded motorists with disabled vehicles

•      Work with stakeholders such as commercial vehicle providers to manage traffic flow on the corridor

To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Live road conditions are available atwww.cotrip.org, downloading the CDOT Mobile app or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.