I-70 Mountain Corridor — Early November and the time change marks the beginning of sun glare season. The Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol want to remind drivers that safety closures due to sun glare can occur in the early morning hours on eastbound I-70 at Floyd Hill from November through February annually. The sun’s angle, in combination with the hill and the highway’s configuration, can create a blinding sun glare for drivers as they head eastbound up Floyd Hill (about Mile Points 244 to 248 – east of Idaho Springs). The intense sun glare occurs as far east as Genesee, beginning around sunrise and lasting until around 8:30 a.m.

CDOT provides advance notification with messages on its electronic sign boards prior to Floyd Hill, alerting motorists of the sun glare and to anticipate slower speeds. Drivers who travel eastbound I-70 in the early morning hours during fall and winter are urged to pay attention to the overhead message boards beginning just east of the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel. Additionally, drivers can check the latest travel alerts by going to COtrip.org.

The sun glare closures at Floyd Hill are for the safety of the traveling public. The decision is made on a case by case basis each morning with collaboration between Colorado State Patrol and CDOT personnel who are stationed near Floyd Hill. The eastbound sun glare can become blinding for motorists, especially when there is leftover moisture on the roadway from a storm or from pre-storm road treatment materials. On top of that, mountain driving conditions include steep hills, sharp turns, and unknown scenarios such as wildlife crossing the highway. For these reasons, the sun glare safety closures at Floyd Hill become necessary. This is a unified effort between CSP and CDOT to keep motorists as safe as possible.

Detour Route

If a sun glare safety closure is in place during your morning commute along eastbound I-70:

• Traffic headed eastbound on I-70 will be rerouted at Exit 244 (US 6) which is at the bottom of Floyd Hill
• Motorists can either stay the course on US 6 through Clear Creek Canyon, or they can take the eastbound I-70 frontage road (US 40) and get back onto I-70 at Beaver Brook (Exit 248)
  • Truckers should be aware, there are height restrictions in the tunnels along US 6 Clear Creek Canyon, therefore freight trucks should use US 40
  • Drivers who use US 40 for the detour route should also be aware of the work zone for the US 40 Roundabouts project – although active work won’t be happening during the sun glare safety closures please drive with extra caution along this route
• The closures average around 45 minutes to an hour and can occur between sunrise and 8:30 a.m. from November through February each year

Other Driver Recommendations

• Adjust your eastbound I-70 travel plans near Floyd Hill to before sunrise or later in the morning if possible. Prepare for a sun glare safety closure to occur if you are traveling eastbound up Floyd Hill between sunrise and 8:30 a.m. on sunny days November through February.
• Make sure your windshield is clean – inside and out. Ensure your vehicle has plenty of windshield wiper fluid.
• Wear a good pair of sunglasses to provide shading.
• Expect traffic slowdowns between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. along I-70 eastbound near Floyd Hill, and adjust your speed to avoid sudden reactions.
• Let off the accelerator and slow down gradually instead of slamming on the brakes, if suddenly blinded by the sun.
• Road conditions can change quickly at this time of year. Drivers can check the latest road and weather conditions by going to COtrip.org.
• For more information visit codot.gov/travel/sunglare

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!