Glenwood Springs Closes I-70 Interchange for $14 Million Road Overhaul

Glenwood Springs —A $14 million road overhaul. Twelve units. That’s the headline number for Glenwood Springs’ current infrastructure push, but if you’re trying to get to work Tuesday morning, the number that matters is 7 a.m.

That’s when the main Glenwood Springs Interstate 70 interchange closes for concrete pours. The city announced Tuesday that crews will block eastbound I-70 at mile marker 116, near the Grand Avenue Bridge roundabout exit. No access. None.

“Traffic control may be in place into the evening peak traffic,” the city said in a release. Expect delays, especially after noon. The workaround? Use the west Glenwood Springs interchange at Exit 114. All Colorado Highway 82 eastbound traffic gets detoured through U.S. Highway 6 and 24. It’s not a new route, but it’s the only one that works right now.

Feinsinger wrote in the Post Independent that this is part of a broader beautification effort, but "beautification" doesn't stop your car from idling in a queue. The project concludes once the concrete sets, but don't hold your breath for a quick fix. Concrete takes time to cure. Rush it, and you get cracks. We’ve seen that before.

Then there’s the shared-use path between Doegan Road and Linden Street. It’s nearing completion, which is good news for the data nerds tracking square footage of paved walkways. Bad news for your Tuesday commute? The path is still fully closed between Donagan Road and Linden Street. Do not try to bike or walk through that section. Use alternate routes or take public transportation. The city is explicit: "not to be used for walking or biking."

Lane closures persist as contractors finish the punch list. Look for traffic control at the intersections of Traver Trail and Devereaux Road. Use alternate routes there, too. The westbound Ride Glenwood Traveler Trail stop has moved to the rapid flash beacon crossing at W. 1st St., right in front of the Antlers Hotel. The eastbound stop stays put. Simple enough, if you know where the hotel is.

Let’s talk about Ninth and 19th Street. These aren’t just cosmetic resurfacing jobs. They’re structural upgrades with long timelines.

Ninth Street is being resurfaced to fix "previously poor road condition." The project runs through the end of September 2026. That’s nearly two years of potential disruption for local businesses and residents.

19th Street is fully closed between Grand Avenue and Blake Avenue until construction ends. Local businesses are open, but access is altered. Signage is available, which is the bureaucratic way of saying "look for the yellow signs so you don't get lost."

The 19th Street Project involves replacing and upsizing the sewer line, improving stormwater systems with new pipes and inlets, and replacing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters on the south side. They’re also installing a new midblock crossing with a rapid flash beacon. This is infrastructure that actually lasts, not just fresh asphalt over old problems.

Alternate routes for 19th Street are primarily Hyland Park Drive to the north and 20th Street to the south. Parking lots between 19th and 20th Streets remain open, but you can only enter or exit from 20th Street. If your office is in one of those lots, you’re walking a bit further or driving around the block.

The Ninth and Cooper Garage is closed through Oct. 3. Both levels. Downtown employees are strongly encouraged to use the free Ride Glenwood bus, Ride Glenwood On-Demand, or other alternative methods. "Strongly encouraged" is city-speak for "you’re on your own if you don't."

On paper, these projects add value to the city. In practice, they add cost to your time and your commute. The concrete pours will delay you today. The sewer upgrades will delay you for years. The garage closure is a short-term pain for a long-term gain.

The bottom line? Plan your Tuesday around Exit 114. Check the Ride Glenwood schedule if you’re stuck near Cooper Avenue. And remember, when the city says "beautification," they mean spending your tax dollars to make the roads look better while they fix what’s underneath.