I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project enters winter shutdown

I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project enters winter shutdown Oct. 30, 2025 - Northwestern Colorado - New eastbound bridge and auxiliary lane enhance safety and improve traffic flow ahead of winter travel https://www.codot.gov/news/2025/i70-west-vail-pass-project-winter-shutdown-nov7 https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png

Project Announcement

Oct. 30, 2025 - Northwestern Colorado - New eastbound bridge and auxiliary lane enhance safety and improve traffic flow ahead of winter travel

Eagle County - Work on the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project, which aims to improve safety and traffic flow on West Vail Pass, is winding down for the season. Crews logged more than 90,000 combined hours, with an average of 60 workers on site each day, to achieve significant milestones in 2025. These include the opening of the new eastbound bridge between East Vail and Vail Pass at Mile Point 185 and the eastbound I-70 auxiliary lane on the final approach to Vail Pass, between MP 187.3 and 190.

The project will begin a planned winter hiatus on Friday, Nov. 7, and will resume for a final expected construction season in spring 2026. No lane closures are expected during the winter break, though minor work may take place away from the roadway.

Winter traffic impacts

• To avoid interfering with winter and ski season travel, as well as snow removal and maintenance operations, no scheduled lane closures are planned and motorists can expect typical lane and shoulder widths throughout the winter
• During the winter shutdown, I-70 will return to its standard configuration with two lanes of travel in each direction. In addition, the new eastbound auxiliary lane will see its first winter season, providing three lanes of travel on the approach to Vail Pass between MP 187.3 and 190
• The Vail Pass recreation path is not regularly maintained during the winter season. Regular maintenance will resume in the spring
• New this winter season, CDOT has launched an online hub dedicated to the I-70 Mountain Corridor-a one-stop resource for winter driving information, road conditions, and tips for smooth, safe mountain travel. This resource brings together the best tools from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app in one centralized location: codot.gov/i70mountain.

"Vail Pass is a critical thoroughfare for our mountain communities. That's why these safety improvements are so important for the I-70 Mountain Corridor," said CDOT Region 3 Transportation Director Jason Smith. "With work pausing for the season, we can reflect and appreciate the tremendous progress made this year. Most notably, the new eastbound bridge and auxiliary lane will improve traffic flow and reduce crashes this winter and beyond."

Work accomplished to date

• Eastbound auxiliary lane
  The new eastbound I-70 auxiliary lane between MP 187.3 and 190 provides slower-moving traffic, such as commercial vehicles, with a dedicated climbing lane over Vail Pass. This addition creates a safer buffer between slower traffic and faster-moving passenger vehicles, helping to address speed differentials that often cause safety concerns and disrupt traffic flow along the corridor.
• Eastbound and westbound bridges
  This summer, crews completed construction of the new eastbound bridge at MP 185.2, a counterpart to the existing westbound bridge, and demolished the old eastbound bridge. Designed for a 100-year lifespan, the new bridge features improved curve geometry, spans more than 560 feet in length, and includes over 22,250 square feet of new driving surface. The expanded bridge width also provides wider shoulders and added space for emergency response vehicles in the event of lane blockages.
• I-70 resurfacing
  Crews resurfaced sections of eastbound I-70 between Mile Points 179 and 185 to address seasonal wear and tear. The new pavement enhances the driving experience and supports more efficient winter maintenance operations.
• U.S. National Forest Service (USFS) parking lot
  In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, CDOT used excess construction material to expand a parking lot along Big Horn Road. This improvement helps reduce conflicts between parked vehicles and users of the adjacent recreation path, while enhancing access to the Gore Lake and Deluge Lake trailheads.
• Utilities and fiber optic cable replacement
  In collaboration with Xcel Energy, CDOT installed five miles of critical fiber-optic conduit in a shared utility trench. This infrastructure connects the Vail Pass electric main line to highway cameras and other traveler information systems on COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app-key tools for safe, informed travel.
• Relocation of Vail Pass recreation path
  In summer 2022, nearly two miles of the Vail Pass recreation path were reconstructed to accommodate the I-70 improvements. The rebuilt path enhances safety and user experience while creating space to widen eastbound I-70 for the new auxiliary lane. New drainage systems and collection basins were installed to help prevent sediment from entering Black Gore Creek. In addition, a new retaining wall was constructed beneath the bridges to support the relocated path.
• Highway closure system gate
  Information technology service improvements are underway in conjunction with the utility work for a westbound highway closure system at Vail Pass I-70 MP 190 interchange and future speed limit and message signs.

Improvements scheduled for 2026

When the project resumes in spring 2026, crews will focus on completing remaining roadway and paving operations, finalizing wildlife crossings, and installing the avalanche and rockfall mitigation system. Work will also include final improvements to the recreation path beneath the new bridges and landscaping.

Lane closures similar to those experienced during summer 2025 are expected to continue in summer 2026 due to the nature of the remaining work. The project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

• Wildlife crossings
  Substantial work will continue in 2026 to complete the six wildlife underpasses - two for large animals and four for small to medium-sized animals. These crossings will go under I-70 between approximately MP 187 and Vail Pass, at MP 190. Wildlife fencing is also being installed along the corridor between MP 185 and 190 to reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions.
• Avalanche and rockfall mitigation system
  The project made major progress on a new avalanche and rockfall mitigation system in the area known as the Narrows (around MP 186). This system, the first of its kind in Colorado, will allow CDOT and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) to safely monitor and manage a known avalanche path and reduce the likelihood of extended interstate closures.
  
  Traffic holds and helicopter operations in 2025 enabled crews to complete rockfall mitigation work, transport materials, and pour concrete foundations for the retention system. Installation will continue in 2026 and will require temporary traffic holds on I-70 in both directions, similar to those experienced this past summer. Travelers along the I-70 Mountain Corridor are encouraged to sign up for real-time traffic updates. Text vailpass to 21000 to receive construction-related alerts and notifications about scheduled traffic holds.
• Westbound I-70 road work and resurfacing
  Additional road work and resurfacing on westbound I-70 will continue in 2026. The new pavement will improve traffic flow and the overall driving experience along West Vail Pass.

Aerial view looking west over the I-70 bridges at Mile Point 185, between East Vail and Vail Pass. The westbound bridge is seen on the right with the new eastbound bridge immediately beside it. The old eastbound bridge girders are being removed and dismantled into sections for hauling away. Work progresses on a new wildlife underpass along eastbound I-70, creating a safe pathway for animals and reducing the likelihood of crashes between vehicles and wildlife. Completing the wildlife underpasses is one of the remaining significant improvements expected for 2026.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 970-688-8233
• Email the project team at: [email protected]
• Visit the project website at: codot.gov/projects/i70westvailauxiliarylanes/construction
• Text Alerts: Text vailpass (one word) to 21000

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to "know before you go." Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• Check scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

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