CDOT to begin safety and mobility improvements in the I-70 Exit 203 Interchange in Frisco

Project Announcement

April 10, 2026 - Northwestern Colorado - Construction at Exit 203 begins Monday, April 20

Summit County — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and prime contractor Zak Dirt are set to begin the I-70 Exit 203 Interchange Project in Frisco. Designed to improve safety, mobility, and traffic flow, construction is scheduled to start Monday, April 20, and continue through October 2027, with a planned winter shutdown from November 2026 to April 2027.

The Exit 203 Interchange Project reconfigures Colorado Highway 9 (CO 9), Lusher Court and Dillon Dam Road to reduce congestion, enhance safety and add bicycle and pedestrian connections. A key feature is a new frontage road bypass under CO 9, which will link Dillon Dam Road and Lusher Court to relieve traffic near the interchange. Additionally, the project will introduce multi-use paths along the frontage road and across I-70, connecting to existing trail networks.

“Breaking ground on the Exit 203 project marks a major milestone for the I-70 Mountain Corridor, the primary thoroughfare to our popular mountain communities," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "This project has been in development for nearly five years. As a top priority for the Intermountain Transportation Planning Region (IMTPR) and a collaborative partnership with Summit County and the Town of Frisco, these improvements are vital to addressing increasing congestion. By enhancing multimodal access through regional services like Bustang and county-wide offerings like the Summit Stage, we are ensuring a safer, more efficient interchange for our local residents and the millions of visitors who travel through this gateway."

The interchange currently faces heavy peak-hour congestion. This project boosts safety and mobility by upgrading the westbound ramp, the I-70 bridge, and the eastbound ramps, while optimizing the adjacent intersection for better overall flow. Construction will proceed in six phases, beginning with temporary traffic shifts and lane reconfigurations on CO 9 and the I-70 ramps. Initial work focuses on constructing the underpass bridge, widening the I-70 ramps, and upgrading stormwater systems and utilities between CO 9 and Dillon Dam Road.

In addition to information found on the project page, CDOT recently launched a dedicated resource page for motorists traveling the I-70 Mountain Corridor. This one-stop source provides year-round driving information, real-time road conditions, and safety tips. It also highlights major corridor improvements — such as Exit 203 project, I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lane Project and Floyd Hill — while centralizing the best tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app.

Traffic Impacts

Beginning Monday, April 20, motorists will encounter road work I-70 and CO 9. Traffic impacts will include:

  • No full closures: No full closures are expected during the first season of construction. During the day time hours, two lanes of travel will remain open.
  • Daytime work: Work will occur Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with occasional Sundays as needed. No closures planned on weekends.
  • Nighttime lane closures: Other than a short-term daytime detour on Dillon Dam Road for a sewer installation in early May, CO 9 and I-70 lane closures will be limited to nighttime hours to reduce impacts. Night traffic shifts are planned on I-70 and CO 9 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for barrier placement and striping operations.
  • Traffic switch: A temporary traffic switch for the I-70 ramps and CO 9 will occur during the first phase of construction.
  • Traveler safety: CDOT encourages motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to plan for potential construction-related delays and to follow all posted traffic switches and safety signage.
I-70 Exit 203 Interchange Project in Frisco Project map.
I-70 Exit 203 Interchange Project in Frisco Project map.

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 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!