Recent and Upcoming Developments along the I-70 Mountain Corridor CDOT Region 1 I-70 Mountain Corridor Team Benjamin Acimovic April 2013 10th Annual Transportation Symposium
I-70 Corridor Summary I-70 Mountain Corridor Twin Tunnels Project Peak Period Shoulder Lanes US 6/I-70 Auxiliary Lanes Georgetown Hill Rockfall EJMT Suppression System Questions
I-70 Mountain Corridor
Twin Tunnels Widening Project US 6/I-70 Auxiliary Lanes Project consists of an Environmental Assessment, Design, and 5 Construction Packages 0, 1A, 1B, 2, and 3 Packages 0 and 1A are complete. Packages 1B and 2 are under construction. Package 3 construction is scheduled for late 2013/early 2014. Main Widening of roadway and tunnel is underway with Package 2 20 Minute stops for blasting starting April 2013 and going until July 2013. Roadway and tunnel should be open by late 2013. http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/i70twintunnels
Peak Period Shoulder Lanes THE I-70 PEAK PERIOD SHOULDER LANE PROJECT IS LOCATED ON INTERSTATE 70 IN CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. IT BEGINS NEAR MP 230.0 AT THE JUNCTION OF US 40 AND I-70 (EMPIRE JUNCTION) AND EXTENDS TO APPROXIMATELY MP 242.0 WHERE IT WILL TIE IN TO THE THIRD LANE OF THE TWIN TUNNELS PROJECT. MP 232 - BEGIN PPSL MP 241 END PPSL TWIN TUNNELS MP 230 BEGIN PROJECT LIMITS MP 242 END PROJECT LIMITS
Peak Period Shoulder Lanes» This project that will implement a Peak Period Shoulder Lane in the eastbound direction of I-70 between US40/Empire Junction and the Twin Tunnels in Idaho Springs, Colorado.» The project would widen I-70 to allow for a the outside shoulder to be opened during peak times. One of the three lanes would be a managed or tolled lane to retain mobility and reliability on I-70.» Two general purpose lanes will be open at all times.» This project will tie directly into the Twin Tunnels Widening project.» CDOT is forming a Project Leadership Team and has an RFP advertised to select a design consultant for the project.» Project is due to be advertised for bid in 2014 and construction will be completed by late 2015.
US 6/I-70 Auxiliary Lanes and Loveland Chain Station The US 6/I-70 Auxiliary Lanes project will construct a auxiliary lane connecting the US 6 EB I-70 On-Ramp to the Herman's Gulch EB I-70 Off-Ramp located west of Bakerville within Clear Creek County. The project will widen the eastbound side of I-70 between the two interchanges to allow US 6 traffic an extended lane to merge into existing I-70 EB traffic. The objective of this project is to provide enhanced safety and mobility for vehicles at US 6 Loveland Interchange and along this stretch of I-70.
US 6/I-70 Auxiliary Lanes and Loveland Chain Station» This project will construct a chain down station along the US 6 / I-70 EB On-Ramp and a chain up station along the US 6 / I-70 WB Off-ramp.» The objective of this project is to provide truck traffic a location to safely apply or remove chains while Chain Law is in effective that travel the US 6 Loveland Pass stretch between Frisco/Dillon and Loveland Ski Basin. This project will also evaluate existing Chain Stations within the I-70 Corridor in Clear Creek County for possible removal and/or relocation.» Both projects are in preliminary design and have formed a joint PLT and TT for both projects.» CDOT currently plans to advertise and construction both projects in late spring/early summer 2014.
Georgetown Hill Rockfall Mitigation» This project is part of the ongoing effort to improve safety on I-70 in Georgetown.» The current project is schedule to wrap up construction in late summer 2013.» 20 minutes stops for scaling operations will be ongoing and done in coordination with the Twin Tunnels blasting schedules.» This project is being managed out of the region 1 West Program and Foothills Residency led by Russel Cox.» The project engineer is Jim Van Dyne.
EJMT Fire Suppression System» This project that will construct a fire suppression system in the EJMT (Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels).» It is being delivered as a Design-Build project and a DB firm will selected over the next year to deliver the project.» This project has a lot of challenges with elevation, temperature, existing conditions, and operations.» Project is scheduled for construction in 2015.
Questions and Contact Info» Jim Bemelen I-70 Corridor Manager» Peter Kozinski Region 1 West Program Engineer