Project Overview

Project History

I-70 plays a pivotal role in east-west highway travel in Colorado. It allows for the movement of people, goods, and services across the state, and is a major corridor for access to several of Colorado’s popular recreation destinations.

Vail Pass as we know it today was completed in 1978 when US 6 was widened to four lanes. It traverses some of the highest and most scenic terrain in Colorado, and provides access to several key recreational destinations in Summit and Eagle Counties.

The West Vail Pass Environmental Assessment (EA) is a Tier 2 NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) study under the I-70 Mountain Corridor Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). The Draft PEIS identified the need for safety improvements on the 10-mile stretch of West Vail Pass from East Vail to Shrine Pass Road.

The I-70 Mountain Corridor PEIS seeks to determine the future capacity, mode choice(s), and general location(s) for the future travel demand of the Corridor. The study is being conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Purpose and Need

The purpose and need statement is the basis for the EA study, and is available by clicking here.

Project Map

The study area is from the East Vail Interchange (Mile Post 180) to Shrine Pass Road (Mile Post 190). 

Photo Gallery

A West Vail Pass photo gallery is now available.

 

Study Timeline

The study began in late 2006 and is expected to continue through 2008.  Click here to view the project timeline.

Study Contact Information

The study is being conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.  Click here for contact information on the study participants.