Idaho Springs Businesses Welcome End Of I-70 Construction, Prepare For More Road Work
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Years of detours and cone zones are taking a toll on Idaho Springs and the businesses that rely on the tourist dollars piped into the town off Interstate 70.
"We know our downtown took a hit on business," Idaho Springs Mayor Mike Hillman told CBS4's Matt Kroschel on Tuesday.
Just as the I-70 construction work is finally nearing completion, the town is beginning a $7 million road project of their own as Colorado Boulevard will soon see major updates. Workers will replace the road, along with curbs and sidewalks, while replacing the water and sewer lines below the road.
The work will likely slow traffic and impact drivers who use the alternate road to avoid the gridlock that often plagues I-70.
Work is set to start in February on 10 blocks of the road. It will be spilt it up into three block sections to reduce the impacts and run Monday through Thursday.
I-70 Update
Demolition of the Exit 241 bridge is scheduled to begin during the overnight hours of Monday, Jan. 18. The work is scheduled to continue overnight Tuesday, Jan. 19, through Thursday, Jan. 21. Colorado Department of Transportation officials say the work is being done at night.
I-70 traffic will be detoured off the highway at mile point 241. Lane closures on I-70 are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Monday night and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. All highway lanes will reopen by 7 a.m. the next day.
LINK: Traffic Section
Additional Information From CDOT
Construction activities are weather dependent and the schedule is subject to change. For additional project information, visit www.i70ppsl.com or call 303-223-6581. For current road and weather conditions you can also call 511, visit www.cotrip.org or download the CDOT I-70 mobile application to your smartphone from your App store.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.
