I-70 Floyd Hill Project Update

Starting in late-September, expect traffic impacts to the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes as crews prepare for construction in the Central (middle of Floyd Hill to the Hidden Valley interchange) and West (Hidden Valley interchange to eastern Idaho Springs) sections of the I-70 Floyd Hill Project. Additionally, a portion of the Clear Creek Greenway trail will close long-term starting at 6 a.m., Monday, Oct. 2 for utility work.

Next week, rock blasting operations will continue along I-70 in the East Section (County Road 65 to the middle of Floyd Hill) 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.

Rock Blasting Traffic Impacts

• Between noon and 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18 - 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 complete one blast next week.

I-70 Ramp Closure at Homestead Road

• 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. 

  • Overnight 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 17 through Thursday, Sept. 21.

I-70 Lane Closures

• Overnight double right lane closures on eastbound I-70 between US 6 (Exit 244) and Homestead Road (Exit 247) for roadway striping. 

  • Overnight 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19 

• Overnight single lane closures on westbound I-70 between US 6 (Exit 244) and Stanley Road (Exit 239) for temporary barrier installation for work on the Mountain Express Lanes to prepare for upcoming construction in the Central and West sections of the project. 

  • Overnight 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20

US 6 Right Turn Lane Closures

• Daytime eastbound US 6 right turn lane to US 40 closure for geotech work. Use the through lane to turn right.

  • 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22

Clear Creek Greenway Trail Closure

• Beginning 6 a.m., Monday, Oct. 2, trail users can expect a long-term closure of the Clear Creek Greenway Trail between the US 6 (exit 244) and Hidden Valley (exit 243) interchanges for utility work. More information will be available on the project website as details are finalized. 

I-70 Mountain Express Lane Closures

• Starting in late-September, motorists can anticipate daytime and nighttime closures of the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes as crews begin preparing the area for construction.

• Beginning mid-October, motorists can expect a two-week closure of the eastbound and westbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane to tie in the lanes into the work zone. The I-70 free general purpose lanes will be open for motorists during daytime peak travel hours.

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.