I-70 Traffic Problem Fixed?

[AcroPhile]

Seriously, I doubt this will have much better results than the metering. But at this point I'm willing to give anything a shot if it means getting a break from the I-70 Sunday parking lot.


From the Denver Post:

The Colorado Department of Transportation has a new plan to smooth traffic on Interstate 70, where the Eisenhower Tunnel often clogs on ski weekends.
The Vail Daily reported Friday that CDOT will try a different tactic to smooth eastbound traffic on I-70 between Silverthorne and the Eisenhower Tunnel. That's where traffic clogs worst on Sunday afternoons and evenings as skiers head back to Denver.
Near the tunnel, eastbound traffic is funneled from three lanes to two. At about that spot, the transportation department is working on a system that will move traffic into four lanes when traffic is heavy, using the highway's existing shoulders. The four lanes would have fast-cycling traffic lights like the ones use on some freeway entrance ramps during heavy traffic.
CDOT spokeswoman Stacy Stegman said the new system could replace "metering" at the tunnels. That system stopped traffic on the west side of the tunnels but led to long delays.
"For every minute you delay traffic, it can take between four and eight minutes to get it moving again," Stegman said.
The new system will get its first test next month, just as holiday traffic starts to really build, Stegman said. That first test will use human flaggers and traffic lights.
Wave Dreher, the spokeswoman for AAA Colorado, said holiday travel this year is expected to be at about the levels it reached last year. According to AAA, nearly 650,000 state residents will travel at least 50 miles by car over Thanksgiving.


Read more: CDOT I-70 plan turns two lines into four at Eisenhower Tunnel - The Denver Post CDOT I-70 plan turns two lines into four at Eisenhower Tunnel - The Denver Post
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[dopamean]

Originally Posted by AcroPhile

That first test will use human flaggers and traffic lights.

These people are going to be running for their lives!

[StreetDoc]

Originally Posted by dopamean

These people are going to be running for their lives!

hahaha exactly what I was thinking as I read it.

[snowklinger]

The plan to widen the Idaho Springs EB tunnel seems to be a pretty good idea as well.

[eli783]

I wish traffic leaving the mountain was a problem of mine...

[BurtonAvenger]

Sucks for all you front rangers I'll be sitting in my hot tub laughing.

[snowklinger]

Originally Posted by Snowolf

Does anybody go up over the top on the hazmat route or does that even save time? I know the road conditions on that route can be brutal?....

Yep. Many people will use this route if traffic is fucked and they are smart. (however in really shit conditions I wouldnt do it unless forced) Even though it closes to weather often, the tunnel also gets all fucked sometimes in weather, so they divert traffic over the pass. I've been on it in a blizzard when it was previously closed but a hazmat crashed in the tunnel so they had to close I70, reopen 6 and divert everyone over it in a snowstorm.

In good weather its the best route (6) to Denver for Keystone(not by much) and particularly A-basin.

[budderbear]

Originally Posted by Snowolf

Does anybody go up over the top on the hazmat route or does that even save time? I know the road conditions on that route can be brutal?....

^ This is why I mostly go to love,a-bay, and keystone. As long as I can avoid I-70 like a plague then I'll have a good day no matter the conditions

[killclimbz]

Loveland Pass is an easy drive.

I can tell you right now how traffic is going to be alleviated this season. No snow...

[linvillegorge]

Originally Posted by killclimbz

I can tell you right now how traffic is going to be alleviated this season. No snow...

Exactly what I was about to post. No snow = no traffic.