I-70 Floyd Hill Quarterly Newsletter

East Section Construction Update

Construction on the East Section of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, which spans I-70 from County Road 65 (CR 65) to the bottom of Floyd Hill, began July 6, 2023. The East Section of the Project will:

• Improve operations by adding an extended on-ramp from US 6 to eastbound I-70, giving trucks more room to merge. 

• Improve drainage and add water quality features. 

• Build a third travel lane on westbound I-70 that will operate as a full-time, tolled Express Lane from the top of Floyd Hill to the Veterans Memorial Tunnels. 

• Install wildlife fencing between Hyland Hills/Floyd Hill (Exit 247) and Soda Creek Road (east of Exit 248). 

To accomplish the Project improvements, crews have been conducting rock scaling and blasting operations parallel to eastbound I-70. Rock scaling operations began in late July and were completed at the end of August, with a total of 66 traffic holds and an average of 4 holds per day. Following scaling work, crews began rock blasting Monday, Aug. 14, which is the process of drilling a hole into the rock and placing explosive and void-fill materials into the hole. A controlled blast is then triggered to fracture the rock so it can be excavated and removed from the site. Rock blasting operations will continue in this section of the Project through early 2024. Blasting work will occur up to two times a week, Monday through Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Motorists can expect traffic holds of up to 20 minutes, with delays of up to 45 minutes in both eastbound and westbound directions, as well as on US 40, for the safety of motorists and crew members during blasting operations and will be released once rock is cleared from the roadway. Crews have completed seven rock blasts as of Sept. 30.

Motorists can anticipate rock scaling and blasting to happen throughout the five-year Project. Motorists are strongly encouraged to sign up for text alerts to stay in the know about rock blasting timing and impacts. To sign up for alerts, text “floydhill” (one word) to 21000.

Upcoming Traffic Impacts

Clear Creek Greenway Trail Closure

At 6 a.m., Monday, Oct. 2, the I-70 Floyd Hill Project began a closure of the Clear Creek Greenway Trail between the US 6 and Hidden Valley interchanges for construction and utility work in this area. This work is scheduled to last until spring 2024, but trail users can expect ongoing trail impacts and closures through 2026. This portion of the trail will be an active construction zone and will be unsafe for multi-use travel. Other segments of the trail will remain open. For up-to-date information visit bit.ly/ccgreenway.

Motorists can expect a two-week closure of the eastbound and westbound I-70 Mountain Express Lanes (MEXL) from 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 through 6 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, to move the tolling infrastructure in preparation for upcoming work in the West Section. This includes eastbound and westbound I-70 MEXL closures over two full weekends — Friday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 22 — and a partial third weekend closure on Friday, Oct. 27. After the hard closure completes early Saturday, Oct. 28, nightly closures of MEXL are anticipated to complete the work.

West Section Look Ahead

In early 2024, work will begin in the West Section of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, which spans I-70 from the Hidden Valley/Central City interchange (Exit 243) to eastern Idaho Springs. Construction in the West Section of the Project is expected to last approximately four years (through fall 2027) — completion of all three sections of the Project is slated for the end of 2028. 

During West Section construction, motorists can expect more rock scaling and rock blasting, which are scheduled to begin in summer 2024 and last through the end of 2026. These operations will be more impactful than rock scaling and rock blasting in the East Section of the Project due to the amount of rock that needs to be removed. Leading up to summer 2024, the Project team will provide more information regarding these blasting and scaling operations.

Once the Project is complete, motorists can expect to see the following improvements in the West Section: 

• Straightened curves to improve safety and allow motorists to maintain a 55 MPH speed. 

• A constructed westbound I-70 Express Lane that extends from the top of Floyd Hill through the Veterans Memorial Tunnels allowing users to pay a toll for a more reliable trip or continue to use the general purpose lanes for free. 

• Reconstructed bridges over Clear Creek. 

• Reconstructed Clear Creek Greenway trail from the Hidden Valley/Central City interchange to the Veterans Memorial Tunnels. 

• A new noise wall east of Idaho Springs at Colorado Boulevard/Idaho Springs (Exit 241).

Stay tuned for more information on the West Section of the Project! 

Local Business Spotlight: Ski Country Antiques & Home

Nestled within Evergreen, Ski Country Antiques & Home stands as a family-owned business with over a decade of history. This unique establishment boasts a meticulously curated collection of European antiques from the late 1800s and early 1900s, housed within a sprawling 20,000 square feet.

From grand furniture pieces to exquisite decorative antiques, each item has been thoughtfully handpicked to carry a unique story and infuse character into any home.

But Ski Country isn't just about the past. It seamlessly blends the allure of antiquity with modernity through a diverse selection of new home decor items. Additionally, you'll find unique gifts, luxurious bath and body products, and locally sourced goods from Colorado companies - all reflecting Ski Country's commitment to the community. 

Recognized as a perennial finalist for "Best Antique Store" in Denver's A-List, Ski Country is a must-visit destination, where history meets inspiration.

As autumn arrives, the store comes alive with fall foliage, seasonal fragrances and Thanksgiving accents. And when Christmas approaches, Ski Country transforms into a winter wonderland with themed trees, wreaths, garlands and festive decor to create cherished holiday memories.

Ski Country Antiques & Home doesn't just offer products; it delivers an unforgettable shopping experience, marked by exceptional customer service.

So, whether you seek a timeless antique, a unique gift or ideas for blending old and new, Ski Country's knowledgeable team is ready to assist. Your journey to transform your living spaces begins here.

Explore their collections and stay updated on offerings at skicountryantiques.com or by visiting the store, Thursday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ski Country Antiques & Home eagerly awaits your visit.

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 late 2028.