GLENWOOD CANYON, Colo. — An overnight closure of the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon planned for Wednesday night as part of emergency repairs following major mudslides this summer was scrapped by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) due to forecasted weather in the area. The closure planned on Friday night is still scheduled to take place.
The eastbound lanes of I-70 will close from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, according to CDOT officials. Westbound lanes will remain open. Another closure is also planned for Sunday, Oct. 3.
This work will allow crews to rebuild the eastbound retaining wall that supports the eastbound lanes, CDOT said. Closing that side of the interstate will help them finish the work ahead of Thanksgiving, a goal Gov. Jared Polis announced in mid-August.
Drivers headed eastbound during the closure time will need to use the alternate route: CO 13 Rifle to Craig, east on US 40 to Steamboat over Rabbit Ears Pass to Kremmling down CO 9 to Silverthorne. The eastbound closure starts at exit 116 in Glenwood Springs.
This work comes in the wake of multiple mudslides in the canyon, including significant slides that caused considerable damage on July 29 and 31, particularly around Mile Point 123.5, known as Blue Gulch.
The project is expected to cost $6.1 million.
To learn more about this project, visit CDOT's website here, call the project information hotline 970-319-1887 or email: I70GlenwoodCanyon@gmail.com.
