Nighttime I-70 closures at Idaho Springs

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation and Mountain Corridor Constructors will implement full overnight Interstate 70 closures to complete abutment work and initial girder setting for the new bridge over I-70 at Exit 240 starting Jan. 1 through Jan. 5. These closures are scheduled to occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., depending on traffic. Motorists will use the on and off ramps in both directions at Exit 240 to continuously move around the closure.

Motorists traveling home to Denver on eastbound I-70 will may observe prep work beginning at 8 p.m. with the full closure beginning at 9 p.m. Motorists traveling to the mountains on westbound I-70 will note that work will be complete by 5 a.m. while eastbound work will be complete by 6 a.m.

“Weather is one of the most important factors in when we schedule construction work, especially when we’re working along the I-70 mountain corridor,” said transportation department Region Transportation Director Tony DeVito. “This work was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed due to the recent winter storms. We now have to take advantage of this window of opportunity when we have the weather in our favor and equipment available. That being said, our main goal is ensure that traffic is flowing freely during peak travel times over this holiday weekend and have planned the closure times accordingly. We will also continue to monitor traffic operations to determine if any adjustments should be made.”

The bridge is part of the larger Peak Period Shoulder Lane project and once completed in the fall of 2015, the lane will provide increased mobility by implementing eastbound operational improvements between Empire Junction and Idaho Springs to relieve traffic congestion during periods when traffic volumes are highest. This $72 million investment is expected to save motorists an average of 30 minutes in travel time. The project is part of a comprehensive plan to improve travel in the I-70 Mountain Corridor.

For more information about this project or to leave a message, call the project information line at 303-223-6581 or visit http://www.i70ppsl.com. For information regarding CDOT projects and traffic statewide, log on to http://www.cotrip.org, download the CDOT Mobile app or call 511 from anywhere in the state.