Colorado Drivers, You’ll Want to Know About This I-70 Project

Living in Western Colorado requires grit. Without grit, living here might drive you crazy. Driving is the source of many Coloradans' frustrations, especially the issues that seem to affect along I-70 between Denver and Grand Junction.

If it's not a wildfire, it's a mudslide, or a crack in a bridge, or ski traffic. The hazards of traveling through the mountains are many. Well, the Colorado Department of Transportation just issued a notice about some big changes coming to Glenwood Canyon. Changes that will mean allowing extra travel time between No Name and Dotsero.

What's Happening on I-70 In Glenwood Springs?

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Ready to get out and enjoy the summer? Oh, pardon our little bridge joint replacement project in Glenwood Springs, then. The Colorado Department of Transportation will be replacing 23 bridge joints, and they will repair the damaged guardrails between mile markers 116 and 133. The project has been announced to start within the next two weeks and will remain in place until the fall of 2026.

Bridge Joints in Glenwood Canyon

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So what the heck is a bridge expansion joint? Simply put, the joints connect roadways to the elevated bridges along Glenwood Canyon. These joints expand and contract as we drive over them, and are essential for safety.

All the work will be East of the city of Glenwood Springs. Expect crews in place from 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will move at 35 mph. The bridge joints being repaired are those near the following exits:

Exit 119 No Name
Exit 122 Grizzly Creek Rest Area
Exit 123 Shoshone Power Plant
Exit 125 Hanging Lake Trailhead
Exit 129 Bair Ranch Rest Area

Find a full list of road work projects along the I-70 mountain corridor here.

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Stay In the Know Before You Go

So, between now and the end of this project, it will be beneficial to do a little homework before traveling through the canyon on I-70. Find road conditions and travel info from CDot at COtrip.org. You can also run your travel plans through the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp. The project will pause when winter weather arrives later this year.

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