Safer Roads - Safer Winter: State leaders highlight new I-70 CMV left-lane restrictions and winter travel preparedness

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Clear Creek County - As Colorado enters the height of winter, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Senator Dylan Roberts and the Colorado State Patrol are reinforcing a comprehensive strategy to keep the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor safer and more reliable during storms. A key component of this approach is the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) left-lane restriction now in place along several high-risk stretches of I-70. Motorists will see new lane markings in the left lane and signage at Georgetown Hill, Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, Vail Pass and Glenwood Canyon. This rule limits heavy trucks to the right lane unless they are actively passing, helping to maintain steady traffic flow and reduce crash risks on steep, weather-impacted grades.

CDOT’s winter plan combines increased staffing, expanded snow-fighting capabilities, and targeted safety measures to ensure crews can stay ahead of rapidly changing mountain conditions. This year, CDOT is operating with near-full maintenance staffing statewide, supported by an upgraded plow fleet, improved de-icing technology, and surge deployments designed specifically for the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Crews operate around the clock during storms to keep roads clear, maintain traction and respond quickly to emergencies.

The CMV left-lane restriction complements these operations by reducing the chances of major lane-blocking incidents. Heavy vehicles traveling in the left lane on steep grades tend to create sudden speed differentials that lead to spinouts, rear-end crashes and congestion. Keeping trucks in the right lane helps prevent those secondary crashes and gives snowplows the space they need to work safely and efficiently, especially when plows operate in tandem to clear multiple lanes at once.

“Every minute matters during a winter storm,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “When a semi blocks the left lane on Vail Pass or the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels approach, it can shut down travel for hours. This restriction helps prevent those closures and gives our crews the room they need to keep the corridor open.”

“My constituents along the I-70 corridor and I are thrilled to see these left lane restrictions and prominent warnings go into effect,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco). “We worked hard, in a bipartisan manner, to pass SB24-100 which put in place these left lane rules, among other measures, which will cut down on unnecessary crashes, spin-outs, and delays for I-70 travelers. This is good, common-sense action by CDOT that will keep people safe and keep our roads open.”

The Colorado State Patrol is actively enforcing the CMV left-lane restriction on I-70 at Floyd Hill, Georgetown Hill, Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, Vail Pass, Dowd Junction and Glenwood Canyon. Troopers are conducting regular patrols to identify trucks traveling in the left lane in violation of the law, especially during storms and peak travel periods. Violations may result in fines and points, and CSP emphasizes that enforcement is critical to keeping the corridor open.

“This law, coupled with the expanded chain law, is intended to reduce or prevent traffic delays, closures and devastating crashes,” said Lt. Colonel Joshua Downing, Colorado State Patrol. “Professional drivers hold responsibility, just like every other driver, to be prepared and courteous when traveling in winter conditions. Together, we can keep I-70 moving safely.”

The restriction is integral to CDOT's de-icing strategy, which aims to maintain road safety for both commercial and passenger vehicles during winter conditions. Anti-icing materials and liquid de-icers are most effective when traffic flow is predictable. By restricting CMVs to the lane receiving the most frequent plowing and treatment, CDOT reduces the potential for jackknifes, stalls and complete shutdowns on the corridor's most challenging segments.

Winter operations continue to focus on surge coverage for major storms, especially on Vail Pass, Floyd Hill, the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels and other critical climbs and descents. During significant weather events, CDOT stages additional personnel and equipment in advance, deploys plow echelons to clear traffic lanes simultaneously and activates traction and chain laws as needed to maintain roadway stability.

“Safety is our highest priority,” said CDOT’s Director of Maintenance and Operations Shawn Smith. “These tools - strong winter operations, disciplined traction management and the CMV left-lane restriction - work together to keep travelers moving and to protect the crews who are out there in the worst of the weather.”

Motorists are urged to check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app before traveling, allow extra time during storms and give plows plenty of space to work. Commercial drivers should watch for posted signage marking CMV left-lane restrictions along the I-70 Mountain Corridor and sign up for in-cab alerts to be notified when the chain law is in place.