Increased Traffic Volumes Expected Throughout the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend

January 13, 2017 - Statewide - Freezing rain and high traffic volumes may cause travel delays

With fresh powder at the mountain ski resorts and a long holiday weekend, traffic volumes are expected to be high along the I-70 corridor and other mountain roadways. Volumes are anticipated to increase late Friday afternoon and continue through Monday.

“Light to moderate snow is expected along the I-70 corridor, with increased traffic volume due to the holiday weekend and the possibility of avalanche mitigation, travelers should expect delays ,” CDOT’s I-70 Mountain Corridor Manager Patrick Chavez said. 

Freezing rain is expected along the I-70 eastern corridor, I-25 south of Pueblo and throughout southeast Colorado beginning Saturday and lasting through Monday. Icy conditions on roadways are likely.

Our partners at Colorado State Patrol share the following tips to keep you safe while driving:

  • If you are involved in a crash, stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt buckled, call 911 and wait for CSP, local law enforcement or Emergency Management professionals to arrive.

  • Many crashes could be avoided if motorists SLOW DOWN, use caution and drive for the conditions. Slowing down allows you the opportunity to react to changing conditions.  Always drive with your view to the front of the hood so you’re prepared to react as needed.

AVOID A FINE!  Both passenger and commercial motorists should be aware of the state of Colorado’s traction and chain laws which are implemented when conditions require it.  When either law is in effect, highway signage will be activated. Without proper equipment, motorists can be fined $130. If your vehicle blocks the roadway, you could be fined more than $650.

Passenger vehicles:

  • Traction Law (Code 15) — Motorists will need snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M/S) designation, or a four-wheel drive vehicle — all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.

  • Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) — Every vehicle on the roadway must have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).

Commercial vehicles:

Commercial Chain Law (Code 18) — All commercial vehicles must chain up. Code 18 may be implemented any time there is snow covering the pavement on an ascending grade and to minimize road closures.

CDOT is reminding motorists to consult the department’s traveler information tools:  

  • Visit www.COTRIP.org to view road conditions, travel alerts and track our snow plows;

  • Call 511 anywhere in Colorado for periodically updated road conditions;

  • Sign up for GovDelivery alerts;

  • Follow CDOT on Twitter and Facebook (though the latter will not provide the most up-to-date news and conditions).