I-70 in Colorado needs to be expanded, group reports

Part of I-70 would be widened to six lanes, according to a proposal.

The Associated Press

5/30/2008

KEYSTONE, Colo. — A group charged with finding a solution to congestion along Interstate 70 between C-470 and Summit County have recommended rail service and expanding the highway to fix the problem.

The group called the Collaborative Effort made the recommendations yesterday to state government officials after eight months of meetings. The rail service, known as an "advanced guideway" train, would be completed by 2025 and I-70 would be widened to six lanes from Floyd Hill through the Twin Tunnels east of Idaho Springs.

Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Russ George says the two solutions were proposed to satisfy two camps within the group — one that wanted rail service and another who proposed highway expansion.

CDOT has been studying potential fixes to the congested mountain corridor for eight years.