Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will close Interstate 70 Vail Pass on Tuesday morning for winter maintenance. Drivers should expect lengthy delays and allow extra time for travel. The closure comes amid treacherous driving conditions and avalanche concerns along the I-70 mountain corridor.
The Colorado Department of Transportation ( CDOT ) will temporarily close Interstate 70 Vail Pass on Tuesday morning to conduct essential winter maintenance operations. CDOT crews are scheduled to begin working around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, anticipating a significant delay that could last for much of the morning. Drivers traveling eastbound will be instructed to halt at Exit 180, situated approximately three miles east of Vail, with the option to reverse direction westward towards Vail.
Westbound drivers will encounter a closure at Exit 195 near Copper Mountain. Commercial drivers heading eastbound are advised to park and await instructions at the Dotsero CMV parking lot, located at Exit 133. The reopening time for Vail Pass remains uncertain as the operation's duration is contingent upon weather conditions and the volume of snow that needs to be cleared from the roadway. Motorists are urged to either complete their journey through Vail Pass before 9 a.m. on Tuesday or factor in additional travel time due to the anticipated delays. This closure comes amidst challenging driving conditions along the I-70 mountain corridor. Over the weekend, severe weather, coinciding with one of the state's busiest mountain travel holidays, resulted in multiple vehicle accidents and temporary road closures. The heavy snowfall, exacerbated by a subpar snowpack, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, created favorable conditions for avalanches. One driver sustained minor injuries after his pickup truck was struck by an avalanche on Loveland Pass on Friday evening. On Monday, an avalanche traversed Ten Mile Canyon but fortunately did not reach I-70. The incident was captured on video. CDOT reported the presence of 'avalanche mitigation debris' on I-70 Berthoud Pass early Monday morning, indicating that slide control measures successfully prevented an avalanche from reaching the roadway. Crews temporarily closed US 40 to clear the debris. The National Weather Service office in Boulder forecasts continued snowfall through early Tuesday morning in the mountains, potentially intensifying on Monday evening. Strong winds, reaching up to 50 mph, are expected to contribute to blowing snow and reduced visibility over higher passes. CDOT is also cautioning about the potential for low visibility and white-out conditions. CDOT is strongly recommending that travelers still planning to use I-70 pack extra food, water, and warm clothing. The agency is also urging drivers to exercise patience and be prepared for significant delays. For the most up-to-date information on road closures and conditions, travelers are advised to consult COtrip.org
CDOT Vail Pass Interstate 70 Winter Maintenance Avalanche Colorado Road Closure Travel Advisory
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