Interstate I-70 Webcam Colorado

eastbound route and completed it four years later, in 1979. Before that, drivers made their way over the narrow hairpin turns of Loveland Pass. Today, trucks carrying hazardous materials (as well as cyclists) still must use Loveland Pass, as they are not allowed through the tunnel.

CDOT counts the number of cars that pass through the tunnel, and that information helps businesses in Summit County plan for busy weekends annually. In 2007, more than 11.7 million cars drove through it, creating an average daily total of 32,260. July was the busiest month, which supports the assertion that Summit County is no longer just a winter destination (of course, not all of those vehicles stopped in Summit County, but increased summer traffic in Summit County does indicate that more and more people are visiting here).

Highway I-70 traffic has become an increasing problem during the weekends, as Front Rangers and other visitors come up Friday evening or early Saturday morning, then leave Sunday evening. To avoid a daily commute, a good number of Front Rangers own a second home in Summit County, and a large number of them are beginning to pull together a few couples and rent a condo for the ski season, which they usually only use on weekends. Others leave at 5:30 a.m. to avoid bumper-to-bumper slowing and stay late on Sunday night. Highway task forces are looking at various solutions to the problem, but so far, a viable plan has not emerged.

Some of the most scenic, and sometimes treacherous, portions of Interstate I-70 Colorado  include Vail Pass (elevation 10,666 feet), just west of Copper Mountain, and Glenwood Canyon, about an hour west of Vail. In Glenwood Canyon, the highway borders the Colorado River, and huge cliff rocks become the walls that contain the highway.

1-70 Colorado CDOT sometimes closes the road in the winter due to accidents (and occasional avalanche danger, or, in the summer, rock slides). If travelers become stranded, nearby towns set up local shelters. If you're driving on Interstate I-70 - or any road in the High Country - during the winter, it's smart to bring water, snacks, boots, blankets, a book and other emergency items in case you do get stuck for a couple hours on the road. Though it's only occasional, it happens enough that plenty of locals and visitors have stories of being stopped for at least an hour, so it's best to be prepared.

Also, it's imperative that you drive with extreme caution when negotiating slippery roads. SUVs aren't super-vehicles - too many drivers go too fast in them, feeling a false sense of security, then skid off the road, often ending up upside-down. Give yourself more than enough time to reach your destination, have proper snow tires, maintain plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles, and you should remain safe.

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