Twin Tunnels I-70 Project To Finish Up Next Week
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - An expansion of Interstate 70's Twin Tunnels that's intended to make the drive from the mountains to the Front Range much easier will be complete next week.
The $106 million Twin Tunnels project will widen the tunnel's eastbound bore to accommodate an additional lane of I-70 just a couple of miles downhill from Idaho Springs. After months of blasting out tons of rock, sometime next week three lanes of eastbound traffic will be allowed through.
This weekend Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Don Hunt will be giving a preview of the improvements to reporters. CDOT studies showed the area was a major pinch point for traffic because the old tunnel was too small and dark, forcing drivers to automatically slow down.
So far the exact day next week when the eastbound bore will be opened hasn't been announced. CDOT officials did say that during the last few hours of construction only one eastbound lane will be open as crews complete the paving and reconnect the lanes.
LINK: I-70 Twin Tunnels Project Website
