Work on the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Bridge Joint Improvement Project will pause for the winter, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and contractor KSK, LLC. The project will halt operations starting Wednesday, Nov. 26.
During 2025, crews finished work on five bridge joints in both directions of I-70 near Exit 129 at the Bair Ranch Rest Area. They also completed one large bridge-joint structure at Exit 123 by the Shoshone Power Plant. These improvements are intended to allow for roadway expansion and contraction and provide a smoother surface for drivers.
CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew stated, “The team has made great progress on this section of this critical I-70 Mountain Corridor project ahead of winter. Maintaining the health and safety of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is essential not only for travelers, but for Colorado’s economic vitality. This corridor is a backbone for commerce and tourism, and keeping it safe and reliable is fundamental to supporting communities and businesses across the state.”
To prepare for winter shutdown, CDOT has restored both directions of I-70 to their usual two-lane configurations. There are no scheduled lane closures planned during winter so as not to disrupt snow removal or maintenance operations; motorists should expect typical lane and shoulder widths throughout this period. Construction activities will stop except for any necessary maintenance work. All surfaces where bridge joints were replaced have been paved.
This season CDOT launched an online hub with information about winter driving conditions along the I-70 Mountain Corridor. The resource brings together tools from COtrip.org and its planner app in one place: codot.gov/i70mountain.
Construction is set to resume in spring 2026 with plans to replace 18 more bridge joints, complete guardrail upgrades, and perform asphalt paving between Mile Point 116 near Glenwood Springs and MP 133 in Dotsero.
Bridge joints connect roadways to elevated structures so they can expand or contract as vehicles pass over them—a function important for maintaining road safety. The remaining bridges slated for work in Glenwood Canyon next year are located near Exit 119 at No Name, Exit 122 at Grizzly Creek Rest Area, and Exit 125 at Hanging Lake Trailhead.
For further information about this project, residents can call the information line at 970-896-6953 or email [email protected]. Updates are available by signing up at subscription.cotrip.org or visiting codot.gov/projects/i70glenwoodcanyonbridge.
