I-70 Georgetown Highway Project Opens After Major 13-Mile Resurfacing

[Georgetown, Colo] A critical stretch of Interstate 70 between the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels and Empire, with a no-work section east of Georgetown, is refreshed following completion of a comprehensive 13-mile resurfacing project designed to improve safety and roadway performance through one of Colorado’s most challenging mountain corridors. 

The $19.5 million project, managed by employee-owned national engineering, architecture, and consulting firm RS&H in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation, addressed years of wear and tear on the eastbound lanes while upgrading safety features along the heavily traveled route that connects mountain communities to the Denver metro area. 

The project scope extended far beyond simple resurfacing. Crews completed extensive guardrail replacement, bridge deck rehabilitation, and installation of new guardrail end treatments. Workers also added updated signage, pavement markings, embankment protectors, erosion control measures, and new delineators throughout the corridor.

Ray Strandberg, PE, Associate Vice President and Colorado CEI Leader with RS&H, emphasized the complexity of working in the mountain environment. “Every aspect of this project required meticulous planning,” Strandberg said. “From managing traffic flow during peak travel times to working at night in sub-freezing temperatures, our team had to adapt constantly to deliver a quality result.” 

The I-70 corridor between the tunnels and Georgetown serves as a vital link for both commercial and recreational traffic. The route carries commuters, tourists heading to and from mountain resorts, and commercial vehicles transporting goods across (actually under) the Continental Divide. Local business owners in Georgetown noted that the improved road conditions should enhance both safety and traffic flow during peak seasons. 

The resurfacing project is part of CDOT’s broader Capital Improvements Program, which targets infrastructure upgrades across multiple regions. RS&H has completed more than 40 similar task orders over the past decade, demonstrating the ongoing need for highway maintenance in Colorado’s mountain regions. 

The engineering firm’s work on this project included collaboration with subconsultants Vivid Engineering Group and Triax Engineering, LLC, bringing specialized expertise to different aspects of the complex undertaking. 

Traffic patterns have returned to normal following the project’s completion, accomplished almost exclusively at night, with the improved surface and updated safety features now serving the estimated 35,000 vehicles (nearly 9% trucks) that travel this section daily during peak periods. 

The successful completion of the I-70 Georgetown project marks another milestone in Colorado’s efforts to maintain and improve its mountain transportation infrastructure, ensuring safe and reliable travel. 

About RS&H 

Employee-owned, RS&H is a leading provider of architecture, engineering, and consulting services, driven by a purpose of creating tomorrow, together. Rooted in integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork, RS&H works alongside clients and communities to deliver innovative, purpose-driven solutions that inspire progress and redefine possibilities. With a history of tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges, RS&H combines technical expertise with a boundless spirit to create resilient, forward-thinking infrastructure and spaces. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow.