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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Weather & Traffic

  • Anythink Drive-In rescheduled due to weather

    Immersive storytelling experience to be held on March 27 

     THORNTON, Colo.–March 11, 2021–Due to inclement weather, Anythink Drive-In: A Wildly Wonderful, Curiously Celestial Adventure in Storytelling will now take place on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm at Anythink Brighton.  The event was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 13. 

     Community and media partners are invited to hear and see folktales like never before. Anythink Drive-In: A Wildly Wonderful, Curiously Celestial Adventure in Storytelling will provide two opportunities for families to experience an immersive storytelling session from the comfort of their vehicles. Created in conjunction with Alt Ethos, a Denver-based experiential design studio, the Anythink Drive-In will feature a variety of folktales – from Rumpelstiltskin to Anansi the Spider – told using light and sound. Using an FM transmitter, participants will be able to tune in to a broadcast from their car while lights and other visual elements accompany the tales.  

     “At Anythink, creativity knows no bounds, and this is especially true when our staff and partners combine forces,” says Anythink Director of Strategic Partnerships Stacie Ledden. “Between the passion for storytelling from our Anythink Brighton staff and Alt Ethos’ ability to bring tales to life through light and sound, the Anythink Drive-In will be an interactive experience that families will never forget.”  

     “We are thrilled to continue our creative partnership with Anythink and deliver to the community an imaginative event to create inspiration and delight,” says Alt Ethos CEO Ethan Bach.  

     At the events, attendees will receive special materials and instructions to participate from their vehicles. Stories are appropriate for all ages, and fantastic costumes of all kinds are encouraged. Anythink Drive-In: A Wildly Wonderful, Curiously Celestial Adventure in Storytelling will have two sessions at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Both events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required online. Participants should register once per vehicle.   

     With reservations full, special accommodations and additional opportunities are available for media.  

     This immersive storytelling experience is one example of how the library continues to engage with community partners and thought-leaders to provide unique and creative opportunities for the residents of Adams County. Anythink previously partnered with Alt Ethos in 2019 to create The Singing Tree, an interactive public art piece permanently on display at Anythink Perl Mack.  

     -Event Details- 

     Anythink Drive-In: A Wildly Wonderful, Curiously Celestial  

    Adventure in Storytelling 

    Saturday, March 27, 2021 

    7:30 pm & 9:30 pm 

     Anythink Brighton, 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601 

     Take a drive to Anythink Brighton for an immersive storytelling experience, where you’ll be guided through a world of light, color and sound. During this multi-sensory adventure, hear and see folktales in a whole new way, all from the comfort of your vehicle. Invite the whole family to participate in this wildly wonderful interactive adventure in storytelling. All special materials will be provided on-site. All you need is an FM radio and your imagination! Fantastic costumes of all kinds encouraged. This magical journey is appropriate for all ages. Space is limited; advance registration required at anythinklibraries.org. Please register once per vehicle. This experience is brought to you by Anythink Libraries and Alt Ethos. 

     

     

     

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  • Full weekend closure of Quebec Street under I-70 starts Jan. 8

    Full weekend closure of Quebec Street under I-70 starts Jan. 8

    DENVER — As part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Central 70 Project, Quebec Street will close in both directions under Interstate 70 from 8 p.m., Jan. 8, to 10 a.m., Jan. 10. Overnight closures to I-70 will also be required to allow crews to safely demolish the I-70 bridge above Quebec Street. 

    TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

    • Full closure of Quebec Street under I-70  – 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8, to 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 10
      • Motorists traveling northbound will use the Quebec Street on-ramp to eastbound I-70, exit at Central Park Boulevard, travel north to the Central Park Boulevard on-ramp, and exit at the westbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec Street
      • Motorists traveling southbound on Quebec Street will take the Quebec Street on-ramp to Stapleton North Drive, turn left on Holly Street, turn left to Stapleton South Drive to the Holly Street on-ramp to eastbound I-70, and exit at Quebec Street
      • Motorists traveling to Monaco Street north of I-70 during this time will travel south on Monaco Street to Sandown Road and turn left to Quebec Street. Here they will follow the marked detour for northbound Quebec Street, travel north to the Central Park Boulevard on-ramp, exit at the westbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec Street, and then travel across Quebec Street to Stapleton North Drive. 
    • Intermittent lane closures on westbound and eastbound I-70 at Quebec Street – 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8 to 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 and from 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9 to 8 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 10

    This work is weather-dependent and subject to change. 

    Detour map: 

    COVID-19 

    Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks. As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely. 

    Whole System.Whole Safety 

    Last year, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization’s operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

    About the Central 70 Project

    The Central 70 Project will reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70, add one new Express Lane in each direction, remove the aging 57-year-old viaduct and lower the interstate between Brighton and Colorado boulevards. More information on the Project, including a list of the Project’s community commitments, are available at central70.codot.gov.

     

    Stay Informed

    • Text Alerts – Text Central70 to 77948
    • Email Updates – Sign up for Project updates at c70.codot.gov 
    • Website – c70.codot.gov – Traffic Impacts page 
    • Watch progress on the webcam 

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  • Final DUI enforcement period for 2020 begins tomorro

    Final DUI enforcement period for 2020 begins tomorro

    CDOT releases final “Gift of Lyft” free ride codes to help prevent impaired driving

    STATEWIDE — To help Coloradans transition safely into the new year, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies will join forces once again to complete The Heat Is On New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement Dec. 29-Jan. 2. Eighty-nine law enforcement agencies will increase DUI patrols to support the enforcement period. CDOT and Lyft will also continue their joint effort in offering free or discounted rides over the holidays with the “Gift of Lyft” campaign.

    With COVID-19 cases on the rise, state officials urge people to refrain from gathering with people outside of their immediate household. People are also reminded to always wear a mask in public and stay six feet apart from others.

    Earlier in December 329 impaired drivers were arrested during the Holiday DUI enforcement period. A total of 178 traffic fatalities involving an impaired driver have occurred so far in 2020, according to the latest data from CDOT. That number represents 32% of all roadway fatalities this year in Colorado.  Alcohol use has increased nationally during COVID-19, with the largest increases in excessive drinking observed in western states, including Colorado. 

    “Our DUI enforcement efforts increase during the holidays, as impaired driving is no joking matter,” said Chief Matthew Packard, Colorado State Patrol. “If you choose to drive impaired you are not only putting your own life and lives of your passenger at risk, but you are also jeopardizing the safety of every other person on the road. Stop yourself and think, is this really worth a life?”

    During The Heat Is On New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement period last year, 101 participating law enforcement agencies arrested 360 impaired drivers. Enforcement provides additional safety measures across the state dedicated to impaired driving prevention during annual events and holidays. Local agency plans and arrest data can be found at codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal.

     CDOT and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) are helping Coloradans plan sober rides by providing discount Lyft ride codes valued at $10 each as part of the “Gift of Lyft” promotion. Every Thursday in December, 200 ride credits are available on a rotating basis in Denver, Colorado Springs and Thornton — areas where DUI fatalities were the highest in 2019. The discount codes are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who sign the Gift of Lyft Pledge at GiftofLyft.com. The last set of free rides will launch on Thursday, Dec. 31, in Colorado Springs ahead of New Year’s Eve. Those who have claimed one of the Gift of Lyft ride codes have until Jan. 4, 2021 to redeem their ride credit.

     The Gift of Lyft is part of a Safe Road Use grant CDOT received from the GHSA and Lyft to help reduce impaired driving across the state. For additional information about the Gift of Lyft, visit GiftofLyft.com.

     A few of the COVID-19 safety guidelines for ride-hailing services include wearing a face mask, leaving the front seat empty, and staying home if you’re sick. Review the full list of Lyft’s latest COVID-19 precautions at lyft.com/safety/coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has safety information geared toward ride-hailing service drivers at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/rideshare-drivers-for-hire.html.

     

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  • Denver Metro – No Advisories in Effect – No Indoor Burning Restrictions

    Denver Metro – No Advisories in Effect – No Indoor Burning Restrictions

    No Advisories are in effect for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area until at least 4 PM Monday, December 28, 2020. Good or moderate air quality conditions are expected.

    High relative humidity and perhaps some light snow will result in Good to Moderate air quality and Weather Excluded visibility on Monday.

    For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
    https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx  

    A poorly maintained vehicle pollutes more than a well maintained one. If you must drive, properly maintain your vehicle. We’ll all breathe easier!

    At 2 PM (MST), Sunday, 12/27/2020 the highest AQI value was 41 for Ozone which indicates Good air quality.


    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
    Sunday, December 27, 2020, 1:15 PM MST

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Sunday and Monday.

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Sunday and the Good to Moderate range on Monday. Moderate concentrations of fine particulates on Monday will mainly be confined to locations within the Denver metro area. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion within the Denver metro area on Monday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Sunday and Monday.

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Sunday and Monday.

    Visibility on Monday is expected to be Weather Excluded due to high relative humidity and perhaps some light snow.

    COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
    Sunday, December 27, 2020, 1:30 PM MST

    Light to moderate concentrations of smoke are possible near small wildfires and prescribed burns around the state.

    What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area?
    The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to
    CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below.

    Public health recommendations for areas affected by smoke:
    If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY .

    Winter High Pollution Advisory Program

    The Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

    Winter season air pollution forecasts are issued daily from October 31 through March 31 at 4 p.m. When conditions warrant, forecasts will include information about Action Days and subsequent indoor burning restrictions.

    An Action Day for fine particulates, carbon monoxide or ozone indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions that limit indoor burning to approved devices only (see indoor burning below), voluntary driving reductions, and public health recommendations.

    An Action Day for Visibility alone indicates that the Visibility Standard Index for visual air quality is expected to be poor on the current or following day. An Action Day for Visibility will trigger mandatory restrictions on indoor burning and voluntary driving reductions for the seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area only.

    When no advisories are issued, air quality is good or moderate and is expected to remain so during the effective period of the forecast. No restrictions are in place.

    Additional Information

    WHAT IS AN ACTION DAY?: An Action Day for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone or other pollutants indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days always convey overarching public health recommendations, and, according to season, trigger a variety of mandatory and voluntary pollution prevention measures. For example, during the summer open burning is prohibited when an Action Day for ozone and/or fine particulates is in effect. During the winter, residential burning restrictions are in effect when an Action Day for Visibility is in effect.

    For a detailed description of both the AIR QUALITY INDEX and the VISIBILITY STANDARD INDEX please visit https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/brochure.aspx

     

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  • Expect lengthy delays on westbound I-70 in Idaho Springs early next week (Dec. 20 – 22) Drivers advised to avoid travel during construction

    Expect lengthy delays on westbound I-70 in Idaho Springs early next week (Dec. 20 – 22) Drivers advised to avoid travel during construction

    DENVER ― The Colorado Department of Transportation plans to get as much paving done as possible before the long-term winter temperatures set in on the Westbound I-70 Mountain Express Lane project.  Paving work can be done only during daytime hours when temperatures are warmer.  Closures will continue through the night to get other work done. 

    One lane on westbound I-70 will be closed in the Idaho Springs area (Mile Point 241 to Mile Point 239) during these times:

    3 p.m. into the night Sunday, Dec. 20 

    9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, Dec.  21

    9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22

    The schedule above could change depending on the weather. 

    Motorists can expect delays of up to two hours during peak travel times.

    If motorists are planning to travel the westbound I-70 corridor, they are urged to leave early before construction starts.  There will be no planned lane closures Friday, Dec. 18, through Sunday afternoon, Dec. 20, and no planned lane closures through the Christmas holiday, Wednesday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 28.  There will be no further planned daytime closures on this project through the winter.  Should more paving work need to be done, that work will take place when the temperatures are warmer in the spring. 

    KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

    Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

    ABOUT THE PROJECT 

    Crews are working diligently to complete road construction so the new Express Lane can open as soon as possible, which is estimated for early 2021 depending on the weather and other factors. Once the new Express Lane opens, tolls will be waived until summer or fall of 2021 when the tolling infrastructure is in place and has been tested. 

    When completed, there will be an Express Lane on westbound I-70 from the Veterans Memorial Tunnels to the Empire Interchange. Similar to the eastbound lane already in use, this 12-mile long managed lane will feature traffic management systems to reduce congestion and provide westbound drivers with a reliable, time-saving option during peak travel periods.  The project is also improving the alignment of the road and repaving the surface to improve safety and make for a smoother drive. 

     

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  • E-470 Traffic Advisory Full Weekend Closure of Northbound On Ramp to E-470 from I-70 Access to Northbound E-470 from Smith Rd. and 19th Ave. also Closed

    E-470 Traffic Advisory Full Weekend Closure of Northbound On Ramp to E-470 from I-70 Access to Northbound E-470 from Smith Rd. and 19th Ave. also Closed

    Aurora, CO – As part of the E-470 Road Widening Project, the northbound on ramp to E-470 from I-70 will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, December 18 through 6 a.m. Monday, December 21. This includes access to northbound E-470 from Smith Rd. and 19th Ave.

    Traffic accessing northbound E-470 from I-70, 19th Ave. and Smith Rd. will be detoured via southbound E-470 to 6th Pkwy./Stephen D. Hogan Pkwy., then east to enter northbound E-470. Motorists should follow all posted detour signs.

    These closures will accommodate full width replacement of the existing expansion joints for the E-470 bridge over Smith Rd. and Union Pacific Railroad. All work is weather dependent.

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  • Overnight full closure of I-70 at Colorado Boulevard Required Oct. 1 to set bridge beams

    DENVER — As part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Central 70 Project, motorists should expect overnight full closures of eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 at Colorado Boulevard starting 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, through 5 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2. If work is not completed in one night, a second closure will be required from 10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, to 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3. The northbound Colorado Boulevard on-ramp to westbound I-70 will also be closed both nights but all other ramps will remain open. 

    These closures will allow crews to set bridge beams for the new Colorado Boulevard bridge above I-70. 

    TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

    • Eastbound and westbound I-70 full closure at Colorado Boulevard – 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, to 5 a.m., Friday Oct. 2, and potentially 10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, to 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 
      • Westbound I-70: Motorists will head west on I-270, then go west on I-76, continue south onto I-25 and exit onto westbound I-70. 
      • Eastbound I-70: Motorists will head north on I-25, then go east on I-76, continue east on I-270 and exit onto eastbound I-70. 
    • Full closure of the northbound Colorado Boulevard on-ramp to westbound I-70 – 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, to 5 a.m., Friday Oct. 2, and potentially 10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, to 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 
      • Motorists should use 46th North Avenue as an alternate route to access the westbound I-70 on-ramp at Steele/Vasquez.

    This work is weather dependent and subject to change. 

    Detour map:

     

    COVID-19 

    Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews  follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks. As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely. 

    Whole System.Whole Safety 

    Earlier this year, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization’s operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

    About the Central 70 Project

    The Central 70 Project will reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70, add one new Express Lane in each direction, remove the aging 56-year-old viaduct and lower the interstate between Brighton and Colorado boulevards. More information on the Project, including a list of the Project’s community commitments, are available at central70.codot.gov.

     Stay Informed

    • Text Alerts – Text Central70 to 77948
    • Email Updates – Sign up for Project updates at c70.codot.gov 
    • Website – c70.codot.gov – Traffic Impacts page 
    • Watch progress on the webcam 

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  • Summer Strikeout DUI enforcement begins July 17 Fourth of July canceled for 171 impaired drivers

    Summer Strikeout DUI enforcement begins July 17 Fourth of July canceled for 171 impaired drivers

    STATEWIDE — Summer plans may be different this year with many large gatherings canceled, however, law enforcement will still be on the lookout for motorists who choose to drive impaired. To keep our roads safe, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies will conduct the Summer Strikeout heightened DUI enforcement period from July 17-27. Last year, law enforcement agencies arrested 490 motorists for DUI during the same enforcement period.

     “CDOT’s top priority is to keep motorists safe from harm,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT. “This enforcement period is a good reminder to folks that consuming any amount of alcohol can impair their ability to get behind the wheel. Drivers should always plan for a sober ride home.” 

     DUI enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

     “We anticipate more drivers will be getting out to spend time in small groups with family and friends, participate in outdoor activities, and patronize local businesses this summer,” said Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol.  “Drivers must make the choice to never drive impaired.  Summer time means more vehicles on the roads and we want everyone to arrive safely at their destination.”

     Over the recent Fourth of July enforcement period, which ran from July 2-6, 171 impaired motorists were arrested — a decrease from the 311 arrests made during the same period last year. A total of 93 agencies participated in the five-day enforcement period, with the Colorado Springs Police Department (22 arrests), Denver Police Department (13 arrests), and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (13 arrests) recording the highest number of arrests. CSP recorded 23 arrests. Results for all law enforcement agencies across the state can be found at https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal .

    This summer, Coloradans can expect to see CDOT’s latest DUI prevention campaign across the state on billboards, buildings, in liquor stores, and on social media reminding people to wait the appropriate amount of time between consuming alcohol and driving.

     CDOT’s new Take Some Time campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of the time it takes for a person’s BAC to return to zero after consuming alcohol. View and download the campaign creative here: dropbox.com/sh/d7xzbb8kd6j9sei/AACCAzHtXzPzJeSl6DMLHXzva?dl=0

     As part this year’s The Heat Is On campaign, CDOT has partnered again with BACtrack, a leading personal and professional breathalyzer company, to urge Coloradans to check their blood-alcohol content (BAC) to confirm they are sober before they drive. Through the partnership, BACtrack Mobile Pro, Trace Pro, C8, and C6 breathalyzers will be offered at a 50% discount for Colorado residents until Sept. 15, or while supplies last. Residents can visit codot.bactrack.com to place an order. For more information about previous CDOT and BACtrack breathalyzer campaigns, visit heatisoncolorado.com.

     For more information on CDOT’s efforts this summer, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips, visit https://www.codot.gov/safety. 

     

     

     

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  • RMINDER – REMINDER – REMINDER

  • Summer Travel Down 18%

    Summer Travel Down 18%

    Thought this would be the “summer without travel”? Think again: AAA forecasts Americans will take 700 million trips between July and September in its latest analysis of economic indicators and survey data. While that number is down nearly 15 percent from last year, marking the first decline in summer travel since 2009, the data indicate Americans are making travel plans – although they’re much different than in years past. 

    “When it comes to travel, two things are true: Folks want to get out and stretch their legs after months of “stay-at-home” orders, but they’re more cautious about travel than they’ve ever been,” said Skyler McKinley, director of public affairs for AAA Colorado. “For now, they’re setting aside extended vacations in favor of long weekend getaways – and they’re packing up the car to get there.” 

    All told, travelers will take 683 million car trips during the summer travel period – representing 97 percent of all summer travel. Year over year, car trips will decrease in total volume by just 3 percent. Air travel, meanwhile, will decline by about 74 percent over 2019, while rail, cruise ship, and bus travel will slide by 86 percent. The data strongly suggest that Americans view the automobile as their safest travel option, and that 2020 will be the summer of the road trip. 

    But for the pandemic, AAA would have projected a total of 857 million trips during the third quarter of 2020 in a 3.6 percent increase over last year. By this analysis, the pandemic wiped out nearly 150 million person-trips this summer. Interestingly, the share of travelers making plans 48 hours to 7 days prior to departure is significantly higher than normal, indicating that more people are deciding to “get up and go” at the last minute than in years past. 

    Denver Rising, Orlando Falls

    Travelers are increasingly interested in exploring America’s great wide open by automobile as prominent cities that typically draw large crowds fall down the list. Denver has climbed to the top-searched city destination among AAA travelers, while Orlando has fallen from number one to number eight. 

    1. Denver, CO

    2. Las Vegas, NV

    3. Los Angeles, CA

    4. Seattle, WA

    5. Phoenix, AZ

    6. Portland, OR

    7. Myrtle Beach, SC

    8. Orlando, FL

    9. San Diego, CA

    10. Nashville, TN

    Travelers can plan out their travel in advance using AAA TripTik – which now includes comprehensive COVID-19 Travel Restriction mapping. 

    Road Trips & Traffic
    In collaboration with INRIX, AAA analyzed the top 20 metropolitan areas and all states to estimate where travelers may run into traffic when they travel. Here’s the good news: The top 20 metros will remain below typical summer-travel traffic congestion, although a number of states could expect to see traffic congestion rise to normal commuter levels – though they’ll still be well below the usual summer traffic patterns. 

    Per AAA’s forecast, traffic in Denver and across Colorado is unlikely to present sustained congestion, though travelers should expect some hot spots. 

    Gas Prices
    AAA expects the national average for a gallon of unleaded to average near $2.25 for the third quarter of 2020. That’s a 15 percent decline from the $2.66 average seen last summer, and the cheapest summer for filling up since 2016. 

    Colorado’s average sits at $2.41, down from $2.74 at this time last year. Motorists will pay a high of $2.88 in Vail and a low of $2.02 in Durango. 

    When at the pump, AAA recommends wearing disposable gloves or using a plastic sandwich bag to avoid touching the pump handle. When back in your car, be sure to clean your hands with sanitizer or wipes. 

    Know Before You Go
    No matter where you’re going or how you’re getting there, AAA recommends considering these points before you go: • Visit AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map at TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions.

    • Check the CDC’s COVID-19 data tracker, municipal and state health departments and local news for updates on coronavirus cases and continue to do so while on the road.
    • Pack face coverings, gloves and cleaning supplies – like disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer – and a thermometer. 
    • Take all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards. About the Forecast

    Because of the pandemic’s impacts on travel, AAA did not release Memorial or Independence Day travel forecasts.  AAA’s Q3 projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit, a London-based business information provider. For the purposes of this forecast, the summer travel period is defined as July 1 through September 30. In cooperation with AAA, IHS Markit developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes, using macroeconomic drivers such as employment; output; household net worth; asset prices including stock indices; interest rates; housing market indicators and variables related to travel and tourism, including prices of gasoline, airline travel and hotel stays. The complete AAA/IHS Markit forecast is available here.

     

    Photo Credit: MGN Online

     

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