CDOT unveils final package for I-70 Floyd Hill project focused on safety improvements

The Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on May 6, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding the ongoing improvements to Interstate 70 (I-70), particularly the Floyd Hill project. The meeting highlighted the need for enhanced data reporting on highway closures, accident responses, and tolling data, with a proposal for annual submissions to be reviewed in a public setting.

Amy, a representative from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), emphasized the importance of utilizing the data from these reports effectively. Currently, CDOT submits reports that are filed without thorough review. The proposed changes aim to ensure that the BOCC and CDOT staff actively engage with the data to inform future decisions and improvements.

Kirk Kianka, the Floyd Hill Project Director, provided an overview of the project, which aims to improve an 8-mile stretch of I-70 from Floyd Hill to Idaho Springs. The project addresses a critical bottleneck where the highway narrows from three lanes to two, particularly during peak travel times. Kianka outlined the safety enhancements being made, including redesigning curves to meet modern speed standards and adding standard shoulders to improve sight distance for drivers.

The meeting also discussed the construction of a new roundabout at Hidden Valley Central City Parkway, which is expected to reduce accidents. Kianka noted that the project includes environmental considerations, such as air quality monitoring and the construction of noise walls to mitigate sound for nearby residents.

The Floyd Hill project is being delivered in packages, with the fourth and final package currently under discussion. This package includes complex structures, such as a significant bridge and various safety improvements. The project is designed not only to enhance traffic flow but also to improve safety and environmental conditions along the corridor.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between the BOCC and CDOT to ensure that the Floyd Hill project meets both transportation and community needs. The next steps include the implementation of the proposed data reporting system and continued progress on the construction phases of the project.