GOLDEN, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) unveiled a plan Friday aimed at improving safety for truckers driving in Colorado's mountains.
The initial focus of the program will be on Interstate 70 west of Denver, according to CDOT. As part of the campaign, CDOT said it will make infrastructure improvements and launch in-cab alerts to inform truck drivers of brake check and common brake loss areas.
The announcement comes after April's deadly crash on I-70, where a semi truck coming down from the mountains crashed into cars stuck in traffic — killing four people. The driver said he lost his brakes while driving down from the mountains.
“I want to dispel any misconceptions, myths or rumors about truck ramps for all commercial carriers who travel our mountain corridors,” said Colorado State Patrol Colonel Matthew Packard said in a news release. “Commercial carriers will not be cited by law enforcement for using truck ramps. Should your brakes fail, please save lives, and use the ramps.” The program is a collaboration involving CDOT, Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association.
Here's what CDOT said were some components of the campaign:
- Signs on eastbound I-70 and all eastbound chain stations, east of the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels, with information on the brake check locations for truckers.
- Restriping the wide eastbound exit ramp at the Genesee Park Interchange into a more-defined short-term truck parking area where overheated brakes can cool down and equipment checks can take place prior to the final descent into the Golden area.
- A new subscription-based, in-cab alert system warning truck drivers about specific areas where brake failures could occur, and the location of brake check and runaway truck ramps.
- Information gathering on the feasibility of a new ramp and other measures to mitigate runaway trucks, such as geometric and signage improvements to the existing Mount Vernon Canyon Truck Runaway Ramp.
The I-70 corridor will be a pilot for the Mountain Rules program, but CDOT said it likely will be expanded to other regions in the state.
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