I-70 Floyd Hill Project construction makes progress and expands west near Idaho Springs

Project Update

March 18, 2024 - Central Colorado - Motorists should anticipate a major traffic switch starting in late March

Clear Creek County —Beginning Wednesday, March 20, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Kraemer North America, will expand construction of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project to the West Section of the Project between the Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway (Exit 243) and Colorado Boulevard/Idaho Springs (Exit 241).

Improvements in the West Section of the Project include:

  • Straightening curves to improve safety and allow motorists to maintain a 55 MPH speed
  • Adding a westbound I-70 Express Lane that extends from the top of Floyd Hill through the Veterans Memorial Tunnels allowing users the choice to pay a toll for a more reliable trip or continue to use the general-purpose lanes for free
  • Reconstructing two bridges over Clear Creek
Geographic map of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project highlighting the West Section (in purple), which spans from Hidden Valley/Central City (Exit 243) to Idaho Springs/Colorado Boulevard (Exit 241).
Caption: Geographic map of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project highlighting the West Section (in purple), which spans from Hidden Valley/Central City (Exit 243) to Idaho Springs/Colorado Boulevard (Exit 241).

Through summer 2024, traffic impacts include overnight lane closures to allow crews to prepare the work zone, fix deteriorating pavement, shift traffic, add temporary construction barrier, and complete striping operations to begin construction in the median. By early April, eastbound and westbound I-70 will be shifted toward the outside shoulders so crews can work in the median. In addition to overnight lane closures, motorists can expect narrower lanes and shoulders, usage of the eastbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane for construction access to the work zone during non-operational times only, and reduced speed limits. The Clear Creek Greenway Trail will remain closed for bicyclists, pedestrians and anglers until late 2027.

Following Labor Day 2024, crews anticipate rock scaling and blasting operations to begin, which will require intermittent traffic holds. Motorists can stay in the know on high-impact activities like scaling and blasting by signing up for our text alerts by texting floydhill (one word, lowercase) to 21000.

Work in the west section is anticipated to conclude in summer 2028; overall project completion is expected to conclude by the end of 2028.

Upcoming Traffic Shift

In late-March, crews will shift westbound I-70 traffic to the south toward the median in the East Section of the Project between County Road 65/Beaver Brook (Exit 248) and east of the US 6 interchange (Exit 244), which will result in narrower lanes and shoulders. This major traffic shift is expected to occur overnight during the week of March 24. Eastbound I-70 will remain in its current alignment in this area. For your safety, please pay attention and adhere to the work zone speed limit of a maximum of 45 MPH when traveling through the construction area. All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

General Traffic Impacts

During construction in the East and West Sections, the existing travel lanes will be open in both directions of I-70 during peak travel hours. However, overnight lane closures on I-70 will occur semi-regularly. Lane closure hours will vary based on season, day of week, number of lanes closed and the travel direction. Drivers should stay on I-70 and expect reduced lane and shoulder widths, reduced speed limits and increased truck traffic entering and exiting the work zones. Stay tuned to our weekly email updates and text alerts for more information about this traffic shift and visit COtrip.org for real time travel information.

Through summer 2024, traffic impacts include overnight lane closures to allow crews to prepare the work zone, fix deteriorating pavement, shift traffic, add temporary construction barrier, and complete striping operations to begin construction in the median. By early April, eastbound and westbound I-70 will be shifted toward the outside shoulders so crews can work in the median. In addition to overnight lane closures, motorists can expect narrower lanes and shoulders, usage of the eastbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane for construction access to the work zone during non-operational times only, and reduced speed limits. The Clear Creek Greenway Trail will remain closed for bicyclists, pedestrians and anglers until late 2027. Following Labor Day 2024, crews anticipate rock scaling and blasting operations to begin, which will require intermittent traffic holds. Motorists can stay in the know on high-impact activities like scaling and blasting by signing up for our text alerts by texting ‘floydhill’ (one word, lowercase) to 21000. Work in the West Section is anticipated to conclude in summer 2028; overall project completion is expected to conclude by the end of 2028. Upcoming Traffic Shift In late-March, crews will shift westbound I-70 traffic to the south toward the median in the East Section of the Project between County Road 65/Beaver Brook (Exit 248) and east of the US 6 interchange (Exit 244), which will result in narrower lanes and shoulders. This major traffic shift is expected to occur overnight during the week of March 24. Eastbound I-70 will remain in its current alignment in this area. For your safety, please pay attention and adhere to the work zone speed limit of a maximum of 45 MPH when traveling through the construction area. All work is weather dependent and subject to change. General Traffic Impacts During construction in the East and West Sections, the existing travel lanes will be open in both directions of I-70 during peak travel hours. However, overnight lane closures on I-70 will occur semi-regularly. Lane closure hours will vary based on season, day of week, number of lanes closed and the travel direction. Drivers should stay on I-70 and expect reduced lane and shoulder widths, reduced speed limits and increased truck traffic entering and exiting the work zones. Stay tuned to our weekly email updates and text alerts for more information about this traffic shift and visit COtrip.org for real time travel information.
Caption: In the West Section of the Project, the phase 1 traffic shift will push westbound I-70 traffic to the north and eastbound I-70 traffic to the south toward the shoulders. The work zone will be in the median, separating westbound and eastbound I-70 traffic.

About the Project

The I-70 Floyd Hill Project will improve eight miles of the I-70 mountain corridor, from west of Evergreen to eastern Idaho Springs. The Project will deliver a third westbound I-70 travel lane, which will function as an Express Lane, to improve the current two-lane bottleneck. Other major elements include constructing a missing two-mile section of the frontage road between Evergreen and Idaho Springs, building an eastbound I-70 extended on-ramp for slow-moving vehicles, improving traffic flow and access at interchanges and intersections within the project limits, improving sight distance on roadway curves, improving the Clear Creek Greenway trail, and implementing environmental mitigation to create safer wildlife movements and improve air and water quality, stream conditions and recreation.

Construction began in July 2023 and is expected to conclude in 2028.

Stay Informed

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

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