The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has officially reopened the Vail Pass Rest Area along the busy Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor, unveiling major improvements designed to enhance safety, convenience, and accessibility for all travelers.
The updated facility features expanded truck parking, ADA-accessible restrooms, safer vehicle and pedestrian separation, and sustainable design upgrades aimed at reducing long-term operating costs. The reconstruction also provides new staging areas for CDOT crews, allowing for faster response times during severe weather and highway incidents.
Among the most significant upgrades for the trucking industry is the addition of more parking spaces. The expansion is expected to ease the longstanding issue of trucks parking on shoulders or ramps, providing drivers with a secure location to rest and comply with hours-of-service requirements.
“Vail Pass is more than just a road, it’s a gateway to our mountain communities, our tourism economy and the Colorado lifestyle,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “This new rest area makes travel safer and more welcoming for everyone who comes through our state, from truckers to families on vacation.”
“At over 10,000 feet, Vail Pass is one of the most challenging and important corridors in Colorado,” added Shawn Smith, CDOT director of the Division of Maintenance and Operations. “This rest area isn’t just about convenience; it directly supports safety by giving motorists a place to pause and by providing increased capacity for maintenance equipment storage that will improve winter maintenance operational readiness.”
Hope Wright, CDOT’s real estate asset manager, emphasized the effort that went into completing the project despite difficult conditions. “Building at 10,000 feet comes with unique challenges, including weather, altitude and a short construction season, but our crews and contractor, Taylor Kohrs, rose to the occasion,” Wright said. “I’m proud of the teamwork and dedication that brought this project to completion. Whether you’re a truck driver, a family on a road trip, or someone heading onto the trails, this rest area is built to improve your experience.”
The reconstruction of the Vail Pass Rest Area began in May 2023 and has now been completed, providing drivers and travelers with a modernized stop in one of Colorado’s most traveled—and most challenging—mountain passes.
Image / Source: Truckers News
