DENVER — Look: we respect your intelligence. Since it’s a long holiday weekend, you already know there will be lots of traffic heading to and from the mountains. It’s kind of a no-brainer, but we still write the same article every year because it does impact a lot of people.
The moral of the story? Anticipate traffic. It will happen. You’re not more entitled to the road than anyone else. Chill out. Listen to music. Catch up with your friends and family. Enjoy the fact you have a couple of days off instead of getting angry you have to spend a couple of extra hours getting to your destination.
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Some good news? Even though a lot of the state’s roads are under construction this summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said it is suspending road work by noon on Wednesday to help limit some of the impacts on holiday travel.
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Nevertheless, even if all the lanes are open, cone zones can snarl traffic. CDOT has an interactive map showing projects throughout the state. In addition to seeing where those are, it also explains what crews are doing – meaning you can educate your family and friends with information about state construction projects during long hours in the car!
For what it’s worth, CDOT said the construction projects will resume on Monday, so keep that in mind if you're taking a long(er) weekend.
With plenty of people on the road, things like wrecks or stalled vehicles will inevitably happen this weekend.
The good news is that we live in the future, and now have interactive maps that show where those are and the delays that ensue. Check out the 9NEWS interactive traffic maps either by downloading the app or by clicking here.
WHERE TO DOWNLOAD:
CDOT said it expects traffic to peak heading into the mountains on Wednesday evening, and then again in the opposite direction on Sunday as folks head west.
If you’re looking for some stats (because why not?), CDOT said 43,455 vehicles passed through the Eisenhower Tunnel the day before the 4th of July last year, and 46,421 passed through the day after the holiday.
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For context, that’s roughly the population of Littleton.
A total of 220,598 cars went through the tunnel during the entire holiday weekend, according to CDOT. That’s more than the population of Fort Collins (but way less than Aurora, if that means anything to you).
Below are CDOT’s tips for summer driving -- hopefully you already know this but hey, you can never complain about too much useful information, right?
1. Stay Alert. Plan enough time to stop along the way to stretch, get something to eat and drink, return any calls or text messages, and change drivers if you’re feeling tired or drowsy
2. Avoid Distracted Driving. The focus always should be on driving. Avoid using cellphones, texting, eating, and using in-vehicle technologies.
3. Don't drive impaired. Increased DUI enforcement from July 3 to July 8
4. Watch for more pedestrians and bikes. Warm temperatures mean more people are outside walking or bicycling. Slow down and pay extra attention at crosswalks and along roadways.
5. Share the road with motorcycles. Motorcycles may quickly come in and out of your blind spots due to their speed and size. Always take a second look with more motorcycles out on the road.
6. Obey all posted speed limits. Or drive slower, if necessary, based on weather or traffic conditions.
7. Maintain proper tire air pressure. Warmer temperatures can cause tires to be overinflated.
8. Turn your lights on. Especially during twilight hours, making it easier for other drivers to see you.
9. Semi-trucks and other large vehicles tend to drive at slower speeds. Be prepared to slow down, stay out of their blind spots, pay close attention to turn signals and give them extra space to maneuver.
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