Daily shutdowns along Interstate 70 amid a “rock scaling” project could cause months of nearly hour-long delays for drivers near Idaho Springs, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
During the rock-scaling project, I-70 will close between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday so crews can remove loose and unstable rock from the side of the interstate, . The work appeared to begin on Monday, Oct. 7, when the roadway was closed for rock scaling work.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 16, CDOT officials said the closures and delays between Exit 240 for Colorado 103 and Idaho Springs and Exit 248 for Beaver Brook and Floyd Hill.
Drivers can expect traffic holds up to 20 minutes long on both directions of I-70 and delays of up to 45 minutes as the traffic queues clear. CDOT officials said traffic will be held up to six times a day, about every 60 to 75 minutes.
County Road 314 and Central City Parkway will remain open during scaling operations, CDOT officials said.
CDOT officials said the rock removal will be immediately followed by rock blasting.
Motorists can expect traffic holds for rock blasting through 2026, according to the CDOT release. Rock blasting will shut down I-70 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 rock scaling, traffic will be held up to 20 minutes, but the holds could result in 45-minute delays as the traffic queue clears, CDOT officials said.
During rock blasting operations, westbound I-70 traffic will be held as far east as Exit 247 for Homestead Road and eastbound traffic will be held west of the Veterans Memorial Tunnel, according to CDOT officials. Traffic will also be held on Central City Parkway, County Road 314 and at the U.S. 6 on-ramp to westbound I-70.
