The Colorado Department of Transportation has approved a 10-year plan with more than 250 projects across the state, including several major upgrades on the Interstate 70 corridor and other major mountain roads.

The 10-year plan was developed in coordination with residents, local elected officials and technical experts in an effort to create “a safer, more connected future for every Coloradan,” according to CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

“Even in a time of limited financial resources, this plan reflects the unique landscape of our state, helps to maintain and enhance our roads and bridges and improves safety for every member of the traveling public,” Lew said in a statement. “We can make meaningful improvements to fix our roads, make them safer and give people more and better choices for getting around.”

The Colorado Transportation Committee, an 11-member board that directs the transportation department and its budget, approved the 10-year plan unanimously during its meeting on May 21.

In northwestern Colorado, the plan outlines more than $300 million in investments across multiple transportation projects over the next decade. Major roadways in this part of the state include I-70, U.S. Highway 40, U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 550.

During the first four years, the draft plan allocates $132 million to the region, with an additional $198 million contemplated for the final six years of the plan, covering the period from 2027 through 2036. The funds allocated to northwestern Colorado represent about 15% of the total $900 million that is expected to be available statewide for “strategic funding” during that decade-long period.

In addition to construction projects, the 10-year plan includes $24 million in the first four years and $36 million in the subsequent six years for growth and maintenance of its Bustang bus service fleet. The Bustang’s Outrider service has routes connecting Steamboat Springs, Craig, Durango, Alamosa, Crested Butte and other Western Slope communities to the Denver metro area.

Here’s a look at the major projects in northwestern Colorado that are included in the 10-year plan:

I-70 critical asset improvements in Garfield and Eagle counties

In Garfield and Eagle counties, the plan includes a project to repair critical assets along I-70, including by replacing guardrails and paving with concrete throughout Glenwood Canyon. The plan allocates $11 million in the first four years and another $23 million in the subsequent six years to these improvements.

During a transportation commission meeting in December, CDOT Region 3 Director Jason Smith said some guardrails on this stretch of I-70 are over 30 years old and are “deteriorating faster than we can keep up with.” Smith also said that about half of Glenwood Canyon is paved with asphalt that transportation officials plan to replace with concrete pavement, which is “more durable and will last longer.”

I-70 interchange improvements in Garfield County

Another project outlined in the 10-year plan would focus on I-70 interchange improvements in Garfield County. The plan allocates $7 million for this project in the first four years and an additional $16 million in the final six years. 

The project would focus on the interchanges at Exit 97 to Silt and Exit 105 to New Castle and may include ramp improvements as well as signing and striping improvements, Smith said in December.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough money to hit all the interchanges,” he said. “So we’re being strategic here, trying to figure out what we can do. We’ve identified two interchanges that we feel are probably the worst ones. They back up traffic onto I-70 during rush hours.”

I-70 West Vail Pass Safety Improvements

The plan also contemplates continuing to fund safety improvements along I-70 at West Vail Pass.

The safety improvements would include adding a lane in the uphill, eastbound direction and a deceleration lane in the downhill, westbound direction, according to the plan. It would also include enhanced runaway truck ramps, wildlife underpasses and fencing.

The plan outlines $50 million in funding for these improvements in the first four years and $27 million in the subsequent six years.

U.S. Highway 40 Red Dirt Hill in Grand County

The plan also includes funding to continue the U.S. Highway 40 Red Dirt Hill improvements in Grand County.

The draft plan outlines about $10 million in funding for this project in the first four years. The improvements would include adding acceleration and deceleration lanes and widening shoulders in an area with a high crash rate.

U.S. Highway 40 passing lanes between Craig and Steamboat

The plan includes funding for new passing lanes on U.S. Highway 40 between Craig and Steamboat, including $6.8 million in the first four years and $10 million in subsequent years.

Smith previously told the Transportation Commission that this section of highway is a major commuter route that sees “a higher number of head-on crashes or bad passes.” Five locations have been identified where adding mile-long passing lanes would improve safety.

“Unfortunately, we won’t get all of them done with the funding we’ve identified,” Smith said. “We’ll try to stretch it out and do as many locations as possible.”

U.S. Highway 40 Fraser safety improvements

The 10-year plan includes $20 million between 2031 and 2036 for safety improvements on U.S. Highway 40 in Fraser. The improvements between Rendezvous Road and County Road 72 would include intersection upgrades, pedestrian safety upgrades and connectivity upgrades.