Drivers On I-70 To Be Slowed Down This Weekend

December 16, 2011 11:15 PM

One of the pace cars on Interstate 70 on Aug. 13, 2011. (credit: CBS)

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IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) – Patrols with the Colorado Department of Transportation will be slowing down drivers along Interstate 70 this weekend.

It’s part of the “rolling speed harmonization” where pace cars will guide drivers through heavy traffic volume areas. The harmonization will happen on Sunday in the eastbound lanes of I-70 between Silverthorne and the bottom of Floyd Hill.

Here’s how it works: Colorado State Patrol cruisers will get in front of traffic with their lights flashing and keep the speed between 45 and 55 mph from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The goal is to prevent accidents and traffic jams, a regular occurrence during the ski season. CDOT plans to use pace cars on Sundays through the end of the ski season.

The program was tested out twice earlier this year but this will be the first time it will be run during a ski season weekend. The Associated Press reported that the pace cars program is payed for by paying 24 off-duty officers overtime at a cost of about $4,500 to $5,000.

speed harmonization map Drivers On I 70 To Be Slowed Down This Weekend

(credit: CBS)

Henkv

Aha, I get the concept: they do this BEFORE rush hour to make sure that there is a traffic jam DURING rush hour so that they can say they need to do more of this. Brillant!