Increased traffic impacts begin mid-June on the I-70 Floyd Hill Project

Travel Advisory

June 11, 2025 - Northwestern Colorado - Watch for increased daytime I-70 traffic holds and two overnight closures of westbound I-70

Clear Creek County — During the last two weeks of June, the Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor partner, Kraemer North America, will resume rock scaling operations, install two new overhead sign structures and perform a traffic shift on Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs. Motorists should plan ahead and expect delays.

Rock scaling operations east of Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway (Exit 243)

To remove loose rock on the north side of I-70, east of the Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway interchange (Exit 243), crews will perform rock scaling for eight days starting Monday, June 16.

  • Operations will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, over two weeks.
  • Expect several traffic holds per day, approximately every 60 to 75 minutes, on I-70 between the Veterans Memorial Tunnels and Homestead Road (Exit 247).
  • Plan for delays up to 45 minutes for the traffic queues to clear — delays could extend until 4 p.m.
  • Motorists should stay on I-70 as there is no detour route.
  • Stay informed by signing up for text alerts. Text floydhill (one word) to 21000 to opt in.

Please note: From Monday, June 16, to Monday, June 30, both the West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes and I-70 Floyd Hill projects will perform critical rock scaling work at the same time. For the Vail Pass project, rock scaling will occur Mondays through Thursdays, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and will require multiple 20-minute traffic holds each day. Motorists can sign up for text alerts for both projects to plan ahead. For the Vail Pass project, text 'vailpass' (one word, lowercase) to 21000. For the I-70 Floyd Hill project, text 'floydhill' (one word, lowercase) to 21000.

Full overnight closures of westbound I-70 for sign installation and traffic shift

To install two new electronic overhead sign structures and shift westbound I-70 traffic toward the median from mile point 245 to the US 6 interchange (Exit 244), crews will require two overnight full closures of westbound I-70 between County Road 65 (Exit 248) and the US 6 interchange (Exit 244):

  • 10 p.m., Monday, June 16, to 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 17
    • Backup date: 10 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, to 4:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 18
  • 10 p.m., Monday, June 23, to 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 24
    • Backup date: 10 p.m., Tuesday, June 24, to 4:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 25

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.

Westbound I-70 closure detour route

Westbound I-70 traffic will merge into one lane and exit at County Road 65 (Exit 248), then head west on US 40 and use the US 6 on-ramp (Exit 244) to return to westbound I-70.

Westbound I-70 traffic will merge into one lane and exit at County Road 65 (Exit 248), then head west on US 40 and use the US 6 on-ramp (Exit 244) to return to westbound I-70.
Westbound I-70 traffic will merge into one lane and exit at County Road 65 (Exit 248), then head west on US 40 and use the US 6 on-ramp (Exit 244) to return to westbound I-70.

To safely construct the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, crews must complete a series of traffic shifts to open up new work areas in the construction zone. Motorists should be diligent and alert while traveling through the work zone. We ask you to please take the appropriate steps to navigate through the cone zone safely:

  • Be aware of narrower lanes and shoulders, especially while driving downhill and on curved portions of I-70
  • Followed posted speed limits, which are reduced to as low as 45 mph. Fines are doubled in the work zone
  • Put the phone down, never drive distracted
  • Watch for increased truck traffic entering and exiting the work zone. Do not follow trucks into the work zone
  • Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you
  • Adjust your driving for current road conditions
  • Watch for our crews so everyone can get home to their families each day

Project Information

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 creating safer wildlife movements.

Construction began in July 2023. I-70 will be in its new alignment in 2028, with the entire project expected to conclude in 2029.

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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