Daily shutdowns along Interstate 70 amid a “rock scaling” project could cause nearly an hour of delays for drivers near Idaho Springs, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
In early October, I-70 will close Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. due to “rock scaling” – the process of removing loose and unstable rocks from the side of the highway – CDOT officials said. Work appeared to begin on Monday, October 7, when the roadway was closed for rock removal work.
The highway will be closed between Exit 240 for Colorado 103 and Idaho Springs and Exit 248 for Beaver Brook and Floyd Hill. according to CDOT officials.
Drivers can expect up to 20 minutes of traffic congestion in both directions of I-70 and delays of up to 45 minutes as traffic clears. CDOT officials said traffic will be held up to six times a day, approximately every 60 to 75 minutes.
County Road 314 and Central City Parkway will remain open during scale-up operations, CDOT officials said.
No timeline was given for the completion of the rock removal project, but CDOT officials said the rock removal will be immediately followed by rock blasting.
According to the CDOT release, motorists can expect traffic stops due to rock blasting through 2026. Due to scree, I-70 will be closed once a day and up to three times a week between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday.
Similar to the rock barriers, traffic will be held up for up to 20 minutes, but the blockages could result in delays of 45 minutes if the backup clears, CDOT officials said.
During the rock blasting, westbound I-70 traffic will be stopped as far as Exit 247 for Homestead Road and eastbound traffic west of the Veterans Memorial Tunnel, CDOT officials said. Traffic will also be closed on Central City Parkway, County Road 314 and at the US 6 on-ramp to westbound I-70.
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