As winter weather returns to Colorado’s High Country, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is shutting down most roadwork along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor until next spring. Crews advanced multiple long-term transportation upgrades in 2025 — but much more work remains.
“Due to Colorado’s limited construction season, major projects are rarely completed in a single year,” said Austyn Dineen, CDOT’s communication manager for the I-70 mountain corridor. “CDOT is also mindful of the impacts projects have on the traveling public and works to minimize disruptions whenever possible.”
The pause marks the seasonal slowdown on a corridor that millions rely on for travel, freight, tourism, and ski industry access.
“As the only east-west interstate crossing Colorado, CDOT recognizes that many people rely on the I-70 mountain corridor,” Dineen said. “Major projects — such as the Floyd Hill improvements and the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lane — are focused on improving travel reliability and ensuring the safety of everyone who travels I-70 and beyond.”
CDOT wrapped up several key projects, including:
• Repaved right-lane pavement in both tunnels
• Lane restriping completed
• Resurfacing, bridge deck repairs, drainage upgrades, new variable speed limit signs and message boards — expected to finish in November
• Fresh pavement, guardrails, ADA-compliant ramps, shoulder widening, new signage and striping
• Crosswalks, curb ramps, two new traffic signals (signals finishing December)
• Eastbound auxiliary lane finished
• Eastbound & westbound bridge construction completed at MP 185
• Six miles resurfaced
• Vail Pass recpath relocated
• Highway closure gate installed
• Forest Service parking lot completed
Next year:
• Six wildlife underpasses
• Avalanche/rockfall mitigation at “The Narrows”
• Westbound improvements and remaining bridge work
The wildlife crossings are designed to reduce collisions and restore natural migration routes.
• Six new joints near Exit 129 completed this season
• 18 remaining joints to be done between Exits 123–125 next year
This area — prone to closures from wildfires and debris — remains a top priority for resiliency.
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The massive safety and mobility upgrade now has a price tag of $905M — up from $700M — due to rising materials costs. Work included:
• 128 rock blasts removing nearly half a million tons
• Paving of new realigned segments before winter
• Ongoing bridge foundation work for the future westbound realignment off the steep hillside
Rock blasting pauses for winter and resumes in 2026.
• 25% complete — replacing a mile of aging drainage infrastructure
• Remaining work scheduled for next summer
Colorado’s mountain corridor sees some of the most unpredictable weather and congestion in the country — tourists, ski traffic, freight carriers, and commuters all depend on its reliability. Safety challenges such as wildlife crashes, steep grades, landslides, and winter hazards require constant investment and engineering improvements.
The combination of new wildlife crossings, auxiliary lanes, upgraded bridges, and hillside realignments aims to:
Reduce accidents and closures
Shorten travel delays
Improve freight movement
Protect ecosystems and recreational areas
Originally reported by Ryan Spencer in The Aspen Times.
