I-70 Floyd Hill Project Update

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s I-70 Floyd Hill Project continues construction on the East Section of the project, which spans I-70 from County Road 65 to the bottom of Floyd Hill (approximately exits 248 to 244). This week, major progress was made as crews completed rock scaling operations in the East Section of the Project. 

Rock blasting operations will continue in the East Section up to two times per week, and motorists can expect a traffic hold of up to 20 minutes along eastbound and westbound I-70, and on US 40 between Homestead Road (Exit 247) and US 6 (Exit 244) interchanges, which may result in up to 45 minutes of delay as the queue clears. During the traffic holds, we recommend you turn off your vehicle to help with air quality. For updates on rock blasting, text floydhill (one word, lowercase) to 21000. 

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, there will be no construction impacts beginning at 6 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1 through 6 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. 
 

Emergency Closure of I-70 & US 40 on Aug. 24

Following yesterday's rock blasting work, crews noticed loose rock above the eastbound I-70 blasting zone, which posed a safety risk to motorists. A full closure of I-70 and US 40 was required so crews could remove the unstable material from the slope. The closures started at approximately 2:40 p.m. and the highways were closed for approximately two hours. An inspection of the current project area was completed today to make sure everything is stable. The inspection did not identify any areas that caused concern. The project team will continue to monitor the slope. Thank you for your patience while we made the area safe. Stay informed on both construction activities and emergency events by texting floydhill (one word, lowercase) to 21000.

Rock Blasting Traffic Impacts

• Noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29 - Crews will conduct a rock blasting operation. A series of airhorn blasts will precede each detonation to warn people in the area. Crews will only have one blast next week. 

I-70 Ramp Closures

• The Homestead Road on-ramp to westbound I-70 (Exit 247) will be closed for drainage work. Detour: Continue west on US 40 and use the US 6 interchange (Exit 244) for access to westbound I-70. 
  • 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27 to 6 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28
  • 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 to 6 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1 

• The eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Homestead Road (Exit 247) will be closed for drainage work. Detour: Continue on eastbound I-70, turn around using the El Rancho interchange (Exit 251) and then use the westbound I-70 off-ramp to CR 65 (Exit 248) and US 40 to access Homestead Road. 
  • 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 to 6 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1

I-70 Lane Closures

• Lane closures on westbound I-70 between CR 65 (Exit 248) and US 6 (Exit 244) for roadway repairs. 
  • 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27 to 6 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28
  • 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28 to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29
• Lane closures on eastbound I-70 between US 6 (Exit 244) and CR 65 (Exit 248) for roadway repairs. 
  • 10 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27 to 6 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28
  • 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28 to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29
  • 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 to 6 a.m., Friday, Sept 1
• Mobile lane closures on westbound I-70 from US 6 (Exit 244) to Colorado Boulevard (Exit 241) for inspections. 
  • 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 to 6 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1

I-70 Mountain Corridor-Wide Traffic Impacts

• Reduced speed limits as low as 45 mph, narrower lanes and shoulders, and increased truck traffic entering and exiting the work zones. Heed the speed limit, do not follow trucks into the work zone, go slow for the cone zone and do not drive distracted. 
• Motorists should expect daytime and nighttime shoulder closures on westbound I-70 for utility work. 
• All construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change. For real-time travel information, visit COTrip.org.

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.