Sun glare closures begin on I-70 in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reminding drivers that annual sun glare safety closures on I-70 are starting soon.

From early November through February, CDOT may close eastbound I-70 at Floyd Hill east of Idaho Springs from sunrise to 8:30 a.m. due to sun glare that makes driving dangerous. The first sun glare closure could come as early as November 3, 2024, if the weather is clear.

“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 marker 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 says.

Sun glare closures last up to an hour, and they are made on a case-by-case basis each morning by CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol.

See sun glare detour information and more from CDOT below.

• 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, no vehicles over 12 feet and seven inches can travel 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.

Click here for more on sun glare safety for drivers.