I-70 Glenwood Canyon Surface Improvements Complete

Travel Advisory

November 2, 2020 - Northwestern Colorado

I-70 Glenwood Canyon Before and After

GARFIELD COUNTY & EAGLE COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation is excited to announce that the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Surface Improvements (Phase 7) are now complete in Glenwood Canyon. Thank you to our local communities and statewide travelers for your patience during the construction of these critical improvements. Please note the I-70 No Name Tunnel Lighting Replacement is still underway, and will cause some traffic impacts before a planned winter shutdown.

The I-70 Glenwood Canyon Surface Improvements project included resurfacing Interstate 70 with placement of thin bonded polyester concrete overlay on the westbound traffic deck between Hanging Lake and No Name tunnels, replacement of bridge joints and bearings, new pavement markings and ADA ramp improvements at rest areas. In all, crews repaired or replaced six bridge joints, completed repairs to the westbound bridge deck, paved 95,000 square yards of polyester concrete (approximately five miles of roadway length) and upgraded 28 pedestrian ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards throughout canyon rest areas.

Polyester concrete overlay was the primary construction activity for this project. Upgrading this section of roadway will minimize the need for annual repairs as this road surface application is more durable and has a significantly longer lifespan than asphalt. The polyester concrete also provides an improved driving surface. 

I-70 through Glenwood Canyon plays a vital role in our state’s transportation network. For Colorado, this project helps to improve the longevity of this critical infrastructure and ensure the safe, multimodal movement of people and goods.

 ABOUT THIS PROJECT

The I-70 Glenwood Canyon Surface Improvements project faced and overcame several challenges over the course of the s project duration. Before project work, I-70 westbound road conditions between Hanging Lake and No Name were poor and deteriorating. The driving surface was rough and uneven, and several elements were exhibiting wear and beginning to fail.

Construction crews began project work just before the national escalation of the COVID-19 health crisis, and quickly worked to implement safety precautions. Throughout construction, general contractor American Civil Constructors worked to efficiently complete high-quality repairs and improvements.

In August, the project faced yet another challenge when the Grizzly Creek Fire erupted in Glenwood Canyon, causing an unprecedented two-week closure of I-70. Despite all the challenges this project has faced, the project was completed on schedule. A major step towards finalizing the project was traffic returning to the newly paved westbound traffic deck on Friday, Sept. 25.

TRAVEL REMINDERS

Glenwood Canyon rest areas, bike path and river access remain closed in order to ensure safety. These closures are to protect motorists, cyclists and hikers from potential debris flows, mudslides or rockfall along Interstate 70 in the canyon, which are more likely due impacts from the Grizzly Creek Fire. Travelers on I-70 and visitors are not allowed to stop in Glenwood Canyon, to ensure that the Colorado Department of Transportation and law enforcement can evacuate the canyon as quickly as possible in the event of a safety closure on I-70.

Construction activities and traffic impacts for the I-70 No Name Tunnel Lighting Replacement Project are expected to continue through mid-November. For more information or to be added to the project update list please call 970-456-1704 or email [email protected], or visit the project website at www.codot.gov/projects/i70-nonametunnellighting.

STAY INFORMED

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.

  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so

  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.

  • 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.

  • Be patient!

COVID-19  

Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO and practice social distancing, wear face masks, stay at home when possible, and avoid nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY. 

In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

ABOUT CDOT 

CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated inter-regional express service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s multimodal mobility options.