Work on the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project is pausing for the winter season, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The project, which aims to improve safety and traffic flow on West Vail Pass in Eagle County, has seen more than 90,000 combined work hours this year. An average of 60 workers were present each day during the construction season.
Key achievements in 2025 include opening a new eastbound bridge between East Vail and Vail Pass at Mile Point 185 and an eastbound auxiliary lane on I-70 between Mile Points 187.3 and 190. These improvements are intended to enhance travel conditions as winter approaches.
The planned winter shutdown begins Friday, Nov. 7. Construction will resume in spring 2026 for a final expected season. During the break, no lane closures are scheduled, though minor off-roadway work may occur. I-70 will return to its usual configuration with two lanes in each direction over the winter months. The new eastbound auxiliary lane will be available for use through its first winter.
CDOT stated that these measures are designed to avoid interfering with ski season travel and snow removal operations. Motorists can expect standard lane and shoulder widths throughout the shutdown period.
Maintenance of the Vail Pass recreation path will pause during winter and resume in spring.
This season, CDOT introduced an online resource hub dedicated to the I-70 Mountain Corridor at codot.gov/i70mountain. This site consolidates information from COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app, providing updates on road conditions and tips for safe mountain travel.
“Vail Pass is a critical thoroughfare for our mountain communities. That’s why these safety improvements are so important for the I-70 Mountain Corridor,” said CDOT Region 3 Transportation Director Jason Smith. “With work pausing for the season, we can reflect and appreciate the tremendous progress made this year. Most notably, the new eastbound bridge and auxiliary lane will improve traffic flow and reduce crashes this winter and beyond.”
The newly opened eastbound auxiliary lane gives slower-moving vehicles a dedicated climbing space over Vail Pass between MP 187.3 and 190, separating them from faster passenger cars to address speed differences that can cause safety issues.
This summer also saw completion of a new eastbound bridge at MP 185.2—designed for a century-long lifespan—which replaced an older structure now demolished. The updated bridge offers improved geometry, greater length, wider shoulders, and additional space for emergency response vehicles if needed.
Sections of eastbound I-70 from MP 179 to MP 185 have been resurfaced to repair seasonal wear; this upgrade supports both driver comfort and efficient winter maintenance operations.
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, CDOT expanded a parking lot along Big Horn Road using excess construction material to better serve users accessing nearby trailheads while reducing conflicts with recreation path users.
CDOT also worked with Xcel Energy to install five miles of fiber-optic conduit connecting highway cameras and traveler information systems like COtrip.org along I-70—a step aimed at improving real-time communication about road conditions.
Earlier phases included reconstructing nearly two miles of the Vail Pass recreation path in summer 2022 for improved safety and drainage while accommodating highway widening efforts.
When construction resumes next spring, remaining tasks include finishing roadway paving operations, completing wildlife crossings—including underpasses designed to reduce animal-vehicle collisions—and installing avalanche mitigation systems as well as final landscaping.
