I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joints Improvement Project pauses for winter

Project Update

Nov. 25, 2025 - Northwestern Colorado - I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joints Improvement Project pauses for winter

Garfield and Eagle Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor KSK, LLC will pause work on the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joint Improvement Project for the winter on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

During the 2025 season, crews completed five of the eastbound and westbound I-70 bridge joints near Exit 129 at the Bair Ranch Rest Area, as well as one of the larger bridge-joint structures at Exit 123 near Shoshone Power Plant. These improvements allow for the roadway expansion and contraction and provide a smoother driving surface for motorists.

“The team has made great progress on this section of this critical I-70 Mountain Corridor project ahead of winter,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Maintaining the health and safety of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is essential not only for travelers, but for Colorado’s economic vitality. This corridor is a backbone for commerce and tourism, and keeping it safe and reliable is fundamental to supporting communities and businesses across the state."

Winter Travel Impacts

To safely move the project into its winter shutdown, the following steps have been taken to demobilize operations:

  • I-70 in both directions will return to its standard configuration with two lanes of travel in each direction
  • To avoid interfering with winter travel, as well as snow removal and maintenance operations, no scheduled lane closures are planned and motorists can expect typical lane and shoulder widths throughout the winter
  • No construction activities, aside from necessary maintenance, will take place during the winter shutdown period
  • All roadway surfaces where bridge joints were replaced have been paved
  • New this winter season, CDOT has launched an online hub dedicated to the I-70 Mountain Corridor—a one-stop resource for winter driving information, road conditions, and tips for smooth, safe mountain travel. This resource brings together the best tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app in one centralized location: codot.gov/i70mountain

2026 Scheduled Improvements

Remaining work, which is expected to resume in spring 2026, includes replacing 18 bridge joints, completing guardrail improvements, performing asphalt paving from Mile Point 116 near Glenwood Springs to MP 133 in Dotsero.

Project Benefits

Bridge joints connect the roadway to elevated bridge structures, allowing for expansion and contraction as vehicles travel over them—an essential function for maintaining safe roadways. The 18 remaining structures in Glenwood Canyon scheduled for work in 2026 are located at or near the following areas: Exit 119 at No Name, Exit 122 at the Grizzly Creek Rest Area and Exit 125 at the Hanging Lake Trailhead.

Project teams work on a bridge joint as part of the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joint Improvement Project in Glenwood Canyon.
Project teams work on a bridge joint as part of the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joint Improvement Project in Glenwood Canyon.

Project Information

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!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!