Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews have started rock scaling operations on Vail Pass, causing daytime traffic stops and lane closures [1].
These operations are critical for improving safety along the busy I-70 corridor. Because the work involves removing loose rock from steep slopes, the risk to motorists necessitates temporary road closures to prevent injuries or vehicle damage.
The work is part of the final stretch of the Vail Pass auxiliary lanes project [2]. For the next week, motorists should expect traffic holds each day between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. [3]. These holds are timed to allow crews to conduct scaling activities safely.
In addition to the full traffic holds, the project involves single-lane closures each day [4]. Drivers are advised to plan for delays as they traverse the pass during this window. The project aims to modernize the infrastructure, and mitigate the hazards associated with the mountainous terrain.
This current phase comes after a long period of infrastructure development in the region. Construction over Vail Pass has been underway for six years [5]. The auxiliary lanes project is designed to alleviate congestion and provide more flexibility for traffic flow on one of the state's most heavily traveled mountain routes.
CDOT crews will continue these scaling operations through mid-June [3]. The agency said it has not specified if further closures will be required beyond the current one-week window, but the focus remains on the completion of the auxiliary lanes project to ensure long-term corridor stability.
“Traffic holds each day for the next week (approximately 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)”
The transition to the final phase of the auxiliary lanes project signals a shift from major structural expansion to safety-critical finishing work. By addressing rock stability now, CDOT is attempting to reduce the long-term frequency of emergency closures caused by natural rockfalls, which often disrupt the I-70 corridor during peak travel seasons.
