Crews are set to return on April 20 for the last construction season of the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lane Project, according to an announcement made by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on April 13. The project, which began in 2021, is focused on improving safety and operations along a ten-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between the East Vail Interchange and the Vail Pass Rest Area.
The completion of this project is significant for travelers using the I-70 Mountain Corridor, as it aims to make travel safer and more reliable. According to Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT, “As we enter the final season of this critical project, our focus is on a safe and successful project completion. From new bridges and pavement to wildlife crossings and avalanche and rockfall mitigation, every element of this work will make Vail Pass more resilient, reduce crashes and closures, and provide a more reliable and enjoyable trip for everyone traveling the I-70 Mountain Corridor.”
This year’s work will include finishing roadway paving operations, completing wildlife crossings under I-70 between mile points 187 and 190 with fencing extending from mile point 185 to help prevent animal collisions, installing avalanche mitigation infrastructure at The Narrows near mile point 186—which will require some traffic holds—and resurfacing westbound lanes. Additional efforts involve landscaping improvements around new bridges as well as enhancements to recreation paths beneath them.
Motorists should expect changing traffic patterns throughout construction. Daily single-lane closures are possible along both directions from mile point 180 to 190 starting April 20. Traffic shifts into barrier-separated alignments are planned for May while rock scaling activities requiring periodic holds are scheduled from early June through mid-June; helicopter operations may also cause occasional short-term interstate closures during summer months.
Travelers can stay informed via CDOT’s dedicated resource page or sign up for text alerts by texting “vailpass” to 21000. The recreation path will remain open with intermittent holds but no extended closures expected this year.
Significant milestones already achieved include two new bridges designed for a century-long lifespan at mile point 185.2; an eastbound auxiliary lane completed between mile points 187.3–190; nearly two miles reconstructed recreation path; improved drainage systems protecting Gore Creek; five miles of fiber-optic conduit installation; expanded U.S. Forest Service parking at Big Horn Road; and road resurfacing between mile points 179–185.
According to the official website, the Colorado Department of Transportation works toward integrated transportation solutions that improve quality of life across Colorado while delivering multi-modal systems that safely move people and goods according to CDOT. Lew serves as executive director according to CDOT, overseeing statewide infrastructure including highways maintained by CDOT as outlined by CDOT. The department also supports aviation grants alongside its highway responsibilities according to its official site.
