Watch CBS News

Nightly I-70 Closures At Idaho Springs Postponed Until Further Notice

IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Interstate 70 at Idaho Springs will not close at all this weekend, as originally planned, because poor weather delayed the delivery of necessary equipment.

The Colorado Department of Transportation initially planned to close the interstate in both directions at exit 240 near Idaho Springs beginning Thursday night. That was pushed back on Thursday to Friday and then on Friday the entire project was postponed until further notice.

The project postponement comes as forecasts show additional winter weather moving into the mountains.

"Construction schedules in the mountains are never a given, especially during the winter season," said CDOT Region Transportation Director, Tony DeVito. "We make educated decisions as to when we schedule work--or postpone it--according to so many variables including weather and traffic volumes. We focus on efficiency and safety, with our goal being to have as little impact as possible on motorists, ensuring that they get to their destinations safely. When questions about efficiency or safety arise, we must act and make decisions in the best interest of the traveling public."

I-70 closure map
(credit: CBS)

Workers will be preparing the bridge for its final phases of construction but need to work across the highway, placing abutments and girders.

"As part of the Peak Period Shoulder Lane Project, where we're adding a toll lane on the shoulder of I-70 from Empire to Idaho Springs, part of that project is redoing the state highway 103 bridge," CDOT spokeswoman Emily Wilfong said.

The project was supposed to be completed around Thanksgiving but contaminated soil and weather slowed the progress.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CDOT:

For additional information about this project or to leave a message, call the project information line at 303-223-6581 or visit www.i70ppsl.com.  To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit www.codot.gov and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the page.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.