I-70 Construction Begins with $900 Million Floyd Hill Project

Standing on the side of I-70, the sound of jackhammers and rumbling trucks fills the air as summer construction kicks off on the mountain corridor. The Colorado Department of Transportation's plans are underway, and locals can expect significant traffic impacts — make no mistake, this will be a long summer for Western Slope drivers.

The Floyd Hill project, an 8-mile stretch of I-70 between Evergreen and Idaho Springs, is entering a new phase of construction. Crews are realigning westbound I-70, widening the canyon, and building new interstate bridges with gentler curves. This $900 million project aims to remove an existing bottleneck on westbound I-70 at the top of Floyd Hill. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to last through 2029 — that's what Delta County spends on road maintenance in six years.

Throughout the summer, drivers can expect temporary lane and ramp closures, traffic holds for rock blasting, new traffic patterns, narrowed lanes and shoulders, and reduced speeds. The 20-minute holds for rock blasting are planned to occur Mondays through Thursdays from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and between 9 a.m. and noon on Fridays. Flaggers and alternating traffic will also be required on U.S. Highway 40 near this stretch of I-70. Austyn Dineen, CDOT communications manager, notes that drivers should sign up for text alerts about the project by texting “floydhill” to 21000 or visit CODOT.gov/projects/i70floydhill for more information.

Other projects, like the two-year project to build a new interchange at Exit 203 to Frisco, will also result in traffic impacts, including delays and lane closures. Repairs to bridges through Glenwood Canyon will have similar effects. The hot, dry conditions this past winter mean elevated fire danger this summer, CDOT is warning drivers to dispose of cigarette butts properly, secure chains to prevent sparks, and report any fires immediately.

Construction on West Vail Pass is also advancing, with a new bridge being built along I-70 near East Vail and Vail Pass. While CDOT hasn't released detailed information on traffic impacts for this project, it's clear that summer travel on I-70 will be affected. The short version: plan for delays, and check for updates before heading out.

CDOT's telephone town hall on June 9 discussed the Floyd Hill project and several other projects, but what they're not saying is how these construction projects will impact local businesses and residents. Folks around here know that summer is peak tourist season, and any disruption to I-70 can have significant economic effects. Worth watching: how CDOT balances construction needs with the needs of local communities.

As the summer construction season heats up, I-70 will be a challenging route to navigate. Read that again: $900 million and six years of construction. This will cost taxpayers, and the impact on local businesses will be significant - that's what's at stake here.