Pans to smooth Interstate-70 for skier traffic

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 that CDOT has a new tactic to smooth eastbound traffic on I-70 between Silverthorne and the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels.

Near the tunnel, eastbound traffic is funneled from three lanes to just two. At about that spot, the transportation department is working on a system that on heavy-traffic days will move traffic into four lanes. Those lanes will use the highway’s existing shoulders, so no widening work will be needed.

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.