The Colorado Department of Transportation announced on April 10 that it will start construction on the I-70 Exit 203 Interchange Project in Frisco, beginning Monday, April 20. The project, led by prime contractor Zak Dirt, is expected to continue through October 2027 with a winter shutdown from November 2026 to April 2027.
The initiative aims to address congestion and improve safety at a key gateway for mountain communities. The reconfiguration of Colorado Highway 9, Lusher Court, and Dillon Dam Road will reduce traffic bottlenecks and provide new connections for bicycles and pedestrians. A major component is a new frontage road bypass under CO 9 linking Dillon Dam Road and Lusher Court.
“Breaking ground on the Exit 203 project marks a major milestone for the I-70 Mountain Corridor, the primary thoroughfare to our popular mountain communities,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT. “This project has been in development for nearly five years. As a top priority for the Intermountain Transportation Planning Region (IMTPR) and a collaborative partnership with Summit County and the Town of Frisco, these improvements are vital to addressing increasing congestion. By enhancing multimodal access through regional services like Bustang and county-wide offerings like the Summit Stage, we are ensuring a safer, more efficient interchange for our local residents and the millions of visitors who travel through this gateway.”
According to CDOT’s official website, it works to improve quality of life across Colorado by providing integrated transportation solutions according to its official website. The department also aims to deliver an effective multi-modal system that safely transports people while maintaining environmental standards according to its official website.
Construction will be carried out in six phases starting with temporary traffic shifts on CO 9 and I-70 ramps. Initial efforts include building an underpass bridge between CO 9 and Dillon Dam Road as well as widening ramps and upgrading stormwater systems. No full closures are planned during the first season; two lanes will remain open during daytime hours from Monday through Saturday.
CDOT recently launched an online resource page offering year-round driving information along with updates about corridor projects such as Exit 203 as outlined on its official website. Lew serves as executive director overseeing transportation infrastructure statewide according to CDOT’s official site. The agency builds highways while supporting aviation grants as stated by CDOT.
Looking ahead, motorists traveling near Frisco should expect periodic lane closures mainly at night throughout construction but no extended shutdowns are anticipated.
