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I-70 Road Closures: The 5 Major Construction Zones That Will Cripple Your 2025 Travel Plans

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Planning a cross-country trip or a mountain getaway on Interstate 70 (I-70) in late 2025 and 2026? You need to know that one of the nation’s most vital east-west corridors is currently undergoing massive, multi-year construction projects across several states, leading to significant, long-term road closures, lane reductions, and major travel delays. As of late 2025, real-time incidents like a recent crash that closed I-70 westbound between Exit 328 and US 40 in Colorado are common, but the biggest headaches come from the scheduled, large-scale infrastructure overhauls in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio that will fundamentally change how you navigate this highway.

The sheer scale of these projects—from the $905 million Floyd Hill Project in the Rocky Mountains to the critical viaduct replacement in Kansas—means the days of easy cruising on I-70 are temporarily over in many regions. This comprehensive guide breaks down the five most critical, long-term construction zones and closures you must be aware of to avoid hours of frustrating delays and to plan your necessary alternate routes.

The 5 Critical I-70 Construction Zones Causing Long-Term Closures (2025-2026)

The Interstate 70 corridor spans over 2,100 miles, but a few key projects stand out for their cost, duration, and impact on daily travel. These zones are not just minor lane closures; they involve significant structural work, long-term ramp shutdowns, and the creation of new traffic patterns, such as contraflow lanes, that demand your full attention.

1. The I-70 Floyd Hill Project (Colorado): The Mountain Corridor Nightmare

The I-70 Floyd Hill Project, managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), is arguably the most impactful closure zone on the entire interstate due to its location in the challenging I-70 Mountain Corridor. This project is a massive, $905 million undertaking designed to improve eight miles of highway between west of Evergreen and eastern Idaho Springs.

  • Location: I-70 Mountain Corridor, from west of Evergreen to eastern Idaho Springs, Colorado.
  • Timeline: Construction began in July 2023 and is expected to continue for several years.
  • Impacts: The primary goal is to address the notorious two-lane bottleneck by delivering a third westbound I-70 travel lane, which will operate as an Express Lane. This work necessitates continuous, significant lane closures and traffic shifts.
  • The Closure Reality: The I-70 corridor between Glenwood Springs and Golden experienced a staggering 683 full closures, totaling 830 hours of shutdown, between September 2024 and May 2025 alone. Travelers should expect similar, if not greater, disruption as the project nears its peak.
  • Traveler’s Tip: Always check the COtrip traveler information site before heading into the mountains. Delays are virtually guaranteed, especially during peak ski season and summer weekend travel.

2. The Polk-Quincy Viaduct Replacement (Kansas): A Major Urban Overhaul

In Kansas, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT) is tackling a critical infrastructure replacement project—the Polk-Quincy Viaduct. This is a vital artery through the state capital, Topeka, and its replacement is causing significant, scheduled closures that will affect thousands of commuters and long-haul truckers.

  • Location: I-70 in Topeka, Kansas, involving the Polk-Quincy Viaduct.
  • Timeline: The 2025 construction season is focused on building the new viaduct structure and widening the I-70 corridor west toward MacVicar. Major construction is scheduled to continue into 2026.
  • Impacts: Expect sustained lane closures and detours around the construction area. This project is not a quick fix; it is a full-scale replacement and widening, demanding complex traffic management strategies that will slow down travel through the city.
  • LSI Entity Focus: The project is a key part of modernizing the state's infrastructure, but it requires patience from drivers on the central I-70 stretch.

3. Revive I-70 and Pavement Reconstruction (Ohio): The Contraflow Challenge

Ohio is undergoing extensive I-70 rehabilitation and pavement reconstruction efforts that have led to one of the most confusing and demanding traffic patterns: the contraflow system. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is managing multiple projects, but two stand out for their long-term impact on closures and delays.

  • I-70 Pavement Reconstruction:
    • Location: Various sections, including Preble County and areas around Dayton.
    • Impacts: Starting in May 2025, I-70 eastbound traffic was reduced to two lanes and shifted into a contraflow pattern. This means one lane of eastbound traffic is moved to the westbound side of the highway, separated by barriers, to maintain traffic flow while construction occurs.
  • Revive I-70 (Dayton Area):
    • Location: Near the interchange with U.S. 35.
    • Impacts: The ramp from southbound U.S. 35 to eastbound I-70 is scheduled for a long-term closure, beginning on or after April 21, 2025, and remaining closed through the summer of 2026. This requires local drivers to find a dedicated, long-term alternate route.
  • Traveler’s Tip: Driving in a contraflow lane requires increased vigilance. Speed limits are strictly enforced, and passing is often prohibited.

4. The I-70 West Vail Pass Auxiliary Lanes (Colorado): High-Altitude Delays

While the Floyd Hill project dominates the headlines, the Vail Pass project is another critical, high-altitude construction zone that will cause significant, though seasonal, closures and delays. This project aims to improve safety and mobility on the notoriously steep and dangerous Vail Pass.

  • Location: I-70 West Vail Pass, Colorado.
  • Timeline: The project entered a planned winter hiatus in late 2025. However, construction is slated to resume for its final expected season in the spring of 2026.
  • Impacts: When active, the construction involves lane closures to install auxiliary lanes, which help with merging and slow-moving traffic. Though closures pause during the winter, the return of construction in the spring of 2026 will bring renewed delays.
  • LSI Entity Focus: This project is vital for improving safety in the I-70 Mountain Corridor, particularly for commercial vehicles and during adverse weather conditions.

5. The I-70/25th Street Pedestrian Bridge (Missouri): Localized Lane Reductions

In Missouri, the Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is managing a smaller but locally significant project that will impact I-70 traffic flow with scheduled lane closures throughout the year.

  • Location: I-70 at 25th Street, Missouri.
  • Timeline: Construction for a new pedestrian bridge began in May 2025 and is scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2025.
  • Impacts: While not a full road closure, the project requires regular lane closures on I-70 to facilitate the construction and placement of the bridge structure. These closures are typically scheduled during off-peak hours (nights and weekends) to minimize commuter impact, but they can still cause unexpected backups.
  • LSI Entity Focus: This project highlights the commitment to pedestrian safety and accessibility over major interstate arteries.

Navigating I-70 Closures: Essential Travel Strategies

Given the unprecedented level of concurrent, major construction projects on I-70, a proactive approach to travel planning is non-negotiable. Whether you are a commercial driver, a family on a road trip, or a daily commuter, these strategies will help you avoid the worst of the closures and delays.

Utilize Real-Time Traffic Resources

Do not rely on static maps or outdated GPS data. The dynamic nature of I-70 closures—caused by both scheduled construction and unpredictable incidents like the recent crash near Mile Point 324 in Colorado—demands real-time information.

  • State DOT Websites: Use the official traveler information sites for each state: COtrip (Colorado), KSDOT, MoDOT, and ODOT. These offer the most accurate data on construction schedules, incident closures, and planned detours.
  • 511 Systems: Many states participate in the 511 traveler information system, which provides up-to-the-minute reports on traffic incidents, winter road conditions, and active construction zones.

Plan Alternate Routes and Timing

For long-haul travel, consider alternatives to I-70 entirely, especially if your route involves the Colorado mountains or the major urban construction zones in Ohio and Kansas. The congestion caused by the Floyd Hill Project, for example, can add hours to a trip. For local travel, try to schedule your drive during non-peak hours (mid-day, late evening) to avoid the worst of the lane closures. The frequent full closures in the Colorado Mountain Corridor, which totaled over 800 hours in a recent nine-month period, illustrate the severity of the problem.

Understand Construction Terminology

Familiarize yourself with terms used by the Departments of Transportation:

  • Contraflow: Traffic is temporarily shifted to the opposing side of the highway (e.g., eastbound traffic using a westbound lane) to allow for construction. This is common in the Ohio projects.
  • Express Lane: A new, often tolled, lane being added to the corridor, such as the one being built as part of the Floyd Hill Project.
  • Viaduct: An elevated roadway structure, like the one being replaced in Topeka, Kansas, which requires complex, long-duration closures.

The I-70 corridor is undergoing a necessary transformation. While the closures and delays are frustrating, the end result will be a safer, more efficient interstate. Until then, preparation and flexibility are your best tools for navigating the extensive construction schedule.

road closures on i 70
road closures on i 70

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