Here’s What Colorado Is Really Fixing on I-70 This Winter

Crossing the Rockies on I-70 during the winter months leaves most Colorado drivers wondering, why does this stretch always feel sketchy or slow? Don’t worry, you’re not imagining things.

CDOT is hard at work this winter, tackling some of the most accident-prone, congestion-heavy sections of I-70, with projects intended to make winter driving safer. Keep scrolling to see the work in progress at long-standing chokepoints that impact commutes, freight deliveries, and weekend plans across Western Colorado.

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Winter Work on I-70: What’s Actually Happening

• This winter, at Vail Pass, CDOT has paused major construction, but opened a new eastbound auxiliary lane to help separate slow-moving trucks from passenger vehicles, reducing dangerous speed differences on some of the steepest grades along the way. Wildlife fencing installation and related site work may continue.
• Further east, winter work continues at Floyd Hill (Exit 244 to 248), where crews are realigning curves, constructing new bridges, and working on a third westbound lane to help address the notorious bottleneck, even through winter conditions. This is the largest active ongoing road work project on I-70 this winter.
• Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joint Project: Work on the bridge joints near Bair Ranch and Shoshone was paused for the winter

Tunnel & Pavement Improvements You’ll Notice

Over at the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels, several tunnel and pavement upgrades completed during warmer months are paying off. These improvements help with traction, drainage in the tunnel, and snow-plow efficiency, keeping all our lanes open during snowstorms and preventing emergency closures during the worst winter storms. Installation of a new fire suppression system is taking place within the tunnels, requiring occasional, mainly overnight, lane closures.

What All This Means for Locals

When Western Slope drivers visit the Front Range, the Floyd Hill project (bridge work and rock blasting) will result in fewer sudden stops and safer winter driving. Reliable travel through the mountains is usually the main factor in deciding whether trips to Denver happen at all. CDOT hopes the improved traffic flow helps freight, tourism, and mountain towns experience consistent access during the winter months.