(COLORADO) — If you have plans to travel to the high country, pack your patience as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is expecting heavy traffic on the I-70 Mountain Corridor following several days of heavy snowfall and sunshine expected this weekend.
To give travelers an idea of how heavy the snow is, CDOT shared a video from one of its recent snow removal operations at Loop Road by the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT).
Jam-packed weekend on I-70
According to CDOT, heavy traffic is expected from Golden through the EJMT to Vail beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21.
The rest of the weekend looks to be jam-packed too.
On Saturday morning, Feb. 22, CDOT also expects “extremely heavy traffic and delays” on westbound I-70 and later in the afternoon and evening as drivers head eastbound back to Denver.
Sunday, Feb. 23 looks to be about the same. “CDOT expects 3,000 vehicles per hour will travel the tunnel on Sunday afternoon.”
“If you’re hitting the I-70 Mountain Corridor this weekend during historically popular travel times listed below, expect heavy, stop-and-go traffic and delays,” CDOT wrote on Facebook.
CDOT: Peak Travel Times (expect congestion and delays)
Friday, Feb. 21
3 p.m. – Eastbound I-70, along the entire corridor
5 to 8 p.m. – Westbound I-70 starting at Floyd Hill
Saturday, Feb. 22
6 to 8 a.m. – Westbound I-70 starting at Floyd Hill
2 to 6 p.m. – Eastbound I-70, starting at Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
Sunday, Feb. 23
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Eastbound I-70, starting at Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
According to CDOT, if you’re planning to take a trip to the high country this weekend be sure to plan ahead, give yourself extra time and check COtrip.org for the latest road conditions.

