Garfield, Eagle Counties Plan Cottonwood Pass Road Improvement Potential

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GARFIELD COUNTY, CO - Commissioners from Garfield and Eagle counties met the Colorado Department of Transportation, or CDOT, to discuss the Interstate 70 closure in Glenwood Canyon, and improvements to Cottonwood Pass Road.

Interstate 70 is impassible through Glenwood Canyon due to the mudslides and debris flow that damaged the roadway. The closure is expected to take days, rather than weeks and contractors are looking for repairs.

Governor Jared Polis expects at least by Thanksgiving all four lanes in the canyon can be opened. Moreover, both Garfield and Eagle county commissioners are aware that this closure will have an impact on the convenience of mobility, business, and supply lines on the Western Slope.

This situation also affects Cottonwood Pass's traffic activity has increased tremendously. Commissioner Tom Jankovsky thanked Eagle County for its decision to keep Cottonwood Pass. He noted that increased traffic causes stress to homeowners along the route.

“I’m hearing from the folks that live below Cottonwood Pass,” Jankovsky said. “They are just inundated with traffic. From my perspective, this needs to continue to be a two-lane county road that’s utilized by our citizens.”

Even though related to the safety aspect this is not recommended and is quite dangerous. Accordingly, Eagle County expects lane widening, realignment, and additional guardrails.

The planning estimate could cost $10.05 million for a basic two-lane county road in the short term. This improvement is not the first time, previously there was a large one in 2010 costing between $47 and $62 million.

The Cottonwood Pass is not designed to handle the increased traffic, thus causing inconvenience and uncomfortable for passing, such as the route that connects Highway 82 and Gypsum Creek Road feature tight corners and switchbacks, which can be very dangerous during inclement weather.

The improvement plan that has been discussed by the Commissioners from Garfield and Eagle countries with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) would also mean that Cottonwood Pass would be closed for a period of time.

Residents can expect more updates of this planning and good intentions then anticipate the development of further information.

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