The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project, initiated by the Colorado Department of Transportation, has developed and evaluated alternatives for safety and operational improvements on the pass between the East Vail exit and the Vail Pass exit at the top of Vail Pass (I-70 mile posts 180 – 190). Results of the evaluation completed to date and the draft proposed action will be displayed for public comment at an open house on December 13.
An eastbound and westbound auxiliary lane from the East Vail exit to the Vail Pass exit at the top of Vail Pass on I-70 was recommended in a broad-scale study of the I-70 mountain corridor in 2011. The current Environmental Assessment study is evaluating the benefits and impacts of these additional lanes and other safety and operational improvements on West Vail Pass. Final design and construction will follow as funding becomes available.
Public and stakeholder input and involvement is essential during this planning and conceptual design effort, and community member input will inform decision-making throughout this project.
A public open house meeting is planned to be held December 13 at Donovan Pavilion, 1600 S. Frontage Road West, Vail. Members of the public are invited to attend any time between 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to learn about the project, provide comments regarding the draft proposed action, and talk with members of the project team. No formal presentation is planned.
For those unable to attend the meeting in person, the meeting’s graphic displays will be made available on the project web page beginning December 14. Comments can be submitted anytime via an online comment form. To view the graphics, submit comments, or to join the project mailing list, visit www.codot.gov/projects/I-70-West-Vail-Auxiliary-Lanes.
STUDY INFORMATION: For more information on the I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes project, visit www.codot.gov/projects/I-70-West-Vail-Auxiliary-Lanes.