The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced the resumption of construction on the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project, set to commence on April 28, 2025. This project, which began in 2021, aims to enhance safety and improve traffic flow along West Vail Pass, specifically targeting areas between Vail and the summit of Vail Pass, including the East Vail Interchange (Mile Point 180) and the Vail Pass Rest Area (Mile Point 190).
As the construction season approaches, motorists can expect significant impacts due to the nature of the work. CDOT has warned that travelers should anticipate delays through the project area from early May until September 2025. The work this summer will include the continued construction of the eastbound I-70 bridge, roadway widening for the eastbound auxiliary lane, installation of wildlife fencing and crossings, rock scaling, and helicopter operations for avalanche prevention fencing.
“Significant impacts are expected this summer due to the nature of the roadway work and limited construction season due to the high-alpine environment,” CDOT stated in their press release. The project is expected to continue until November 2025, with work pausing for the winter season of 2025/2026.
One notable feature of the summer construction will be the shift of traffic onto temporary pavement into a barrier-separated, head-to-head configuration in the current westbound lanes. This change will allow for necessary wall work and roadway widening for the eastbound auxiliary lanes.
Additionally, the installation of an avalanche prevention fence at mile marker 186 is a critical component of the project. This fencing will help stabilize the snowpack and catch smaller, initial snowslide movements. CDOT explained, “The system will allow CDOT and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) to safely monitor and manage a known avalanche slide path and prevent extended interstate closures.”
To keep travelers informed, CDOT is implementing a text alert notification service. Motorists can sign up by texting "vailpass" to 21000 to receive updates on expected impacts. This service will also cover the I-70 Floyd Hill Project and the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes, providing real-time push notifications on traffic holds for rock scaling, blasting, emergency road work, and Express Lane availability.
As a new law took effect on January 1, 2025, prohibiting drivers from using mobile electronic devices while driving unless using hands-free accessories, the text alerts will help ensure that drivers can stay informed without risking distractions. This law expands the ban on cell phone use beyond texting to include holding or manually operating a phone for any purpose.
The Vail Pass Recreation Path, which runs alongside the interstate, will remain open and accessible to riders and trail users throughout the construction season. However, users should be prepared for potential delays during rock scaling and helicopter activity. CDOT cautioned that intermittent trail holds for safety-critical work may occur, and variable trail conditions could exist through construction areas. Recreation path users are encouraged to sign up for the text notification service as well.
Travelers are reminded to “know before you go” by gathering information on weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts prior to hitting the road. CDOT offers various resources, including the free COtrip Planner mobile app, which provides statewide, real-time traffic information.
The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes Project is in its fifth year of a six-year plan, originally projected to cost around $140 million. However, costs have escalated to an estimated $170 million. This ambitious project is considered a technological achievement, developing plans that were initially envisioned during the construction of the interstate in the 1970s but could not be implemented at that time.
In addition to roadway improvements, the project includes enhancements to the Vail Pass Recreation Path, which is recognized as the highest-elevation section of interstate with an adjacent hard-surface recreation path. As the construction progresses, the focus will also be on building five wildlife underpasses—two for large animals and three for small to medium-sized animals—under I-70 between mile markers 187 and 190. High deer fencing is also being installed in the same area to help prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions.
This summer's work is critical not only for improving traffic flow and safety but also for enhancing the ecological integrity of the area, ensuring that wildlife can traverse safely beneath the busy interstate. The construction of the new bridge deck in the eastbound lanes is expected to wrap up this season, complementing the new westbound bridge completed in 2023.
As Vail Pass prepares for another construction season, the Colorado Department of Transportation is committed to keeping motorists and trail users informed and safe. With the implementation of new technologies and communication strategies, CDOT aims to mitigate the impacts of construction while enhancing the overall travel experience through this vital corridor.
