The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is making visible progress on the I-70 Floyd Hill Project, which covers an eight-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between Evergreen and eastern Idaho Springs. The project aims to improve safety and operations for motorists in the area, with some benefits expected to be realized before winter.
CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew stated, “As a busy 2025 construction season is wrapping up across Colorado, travelers will have improved roads throughout the state to make trips safer and smoother. The Floyd Hill team has achieved some significant milestones that will make the drive through this large construction zone a little easier, even as construction activity continues through the winter and into 2026. We will be keeping busy fixing our roads and bridges to make sure everyone gets where they’re going safely and reliably.”
Since work began in July 2023, crews have completed three miles of newly widened and realigned highway between County Road 65 (Exit 248) and the middle of Floyd Hill. This section features new pavement, full-width lanes, shoulders, and updated striping. These upgrades are designed to support a future eastbound extended on-ramp for slow vehicles and a westbound Express Lane alongside two general purpose lanes.
Kurt Kionka, CDOT’s I-70 Floyd Hill Project Director, commented on upcoming work: “Through innovative design and the dedication of the CDOT team, our contractor partner Kraemer North America, and dozens of local small businesses, the project now moves into its most ambitious phase: constructing a brand-new segmental bridge right alongside and above today’s I-70. We’ll be building a modern, safer highway while keeping this vital corridor moving. We understand the challenges construction brings to the local community, businesses and motorists traveling through the area. But we know this work will deliver benefits that both save and improve lives.”
Additional improvements include installation of wildlife safety systems—two miles of fencing, seven escape ramps, deer guards—and completion of new retaining walls along eastbound I-70 for slope stabilization using shotcrete designed to match natural mountain finishes. The wildlife system is expected to reduce animal-related collisions by up to 90%. Drainage upgrades are also being implemented to manage snow melt and rainwater more effectively.
Looking ahead to 2026, CDOT plans further realignment between mid-Floyd Hill and Hidden Valley/Central City Parkway (Exit 243), with new bridge structures constructed adjacent to current lanes to minimize closures. December 2025 will see overnight closures for temporary framework installation supporting future bridge construction over live traffic.
Rock scaling and blasting activities are set to continue through next year; since October 2024 crews have performed over 130 blasts removing more than half a million tons of material from surrounding slopes.
More than 1,200 field employees have worked over half a million hours on this project so far. Kraemer North America leads with support from over 150 Colorado-based subcontractors.
The overall plan includes adding an Express Lane westbound—addressing current bottlenecks—completing missing frontage road sections between Evergreen and Idaho Springs; constructing an extended on-ramp for eastbound traffic; improving traffic flow at interchanges; enhancing roadway curves’ visibility; upgrading Clear Creek Greenway trail; as well as improving conditions for wildlife crossings.
Construction began in July 2023 with final alignment expected by 2028. Full project completion is anticipated by 2029.
For updates or more information about traffic impacts or specific project details visit codot.gov/projects/i70floydhill.
