Colorado is famous for its beautiful scenery, opportunities for outdoor activities, and diverse culture. However, it is also known for having one of the most disliked highways in the United States: Interstate 70. This major road connects Denver to popular ski destinations. However, it often causes problems for drivers due to traffic jams, road closures, and harsh weather conditions.
Why do people dislike I-70 so much?
A survey conducted by Volvo found that I-70 is considered the fifth most disliked highway in America. The ranking was based on the opinions of 3,000 drivers. There are several reasons why people dislike I-70:
Winter season: I-70 can be very difficult for skiers and snowboarders during the winter months when they go to the mountains. The road frequently becomes congested with long lines of cars, particularly on weekends and holidays. The Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel, an important part of the route, often closes for safety reasons when there are snowstorms. The snowy and icy conditions mean that drivers must use chains and traction devices, which are required from September to late May. In addition, the new snow that attracts skiers to the slopes also leads to car accidents, road closures, and alternate routes.
Sun glare is a problem on I-70, especially when driving eastbound at Floyd Hill. This happens when the sun is low in the sky and reflects off the windshield, making it difficult to see the road. The bright sunlight can last for about an hour and it can cause delays and dangerous conditions in the morning.
Poor infrastructure: I-70 is often criticized for its inadequate infrastructure, which has not been able to keep pace with the increasing population and demand. The road is not very wide and has many curves and steep parts, which makes it hard to drive on and more likely to have accidents. The road doesn’t have enough places to rest, places to get gas, or options for public transportation. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been doing a lot of work to make I-70 better. They are making the lanes wider, adding tolls, and even building a train system. However, these projects are expensive, take a long time to complete, and have caused a lot of disagreement among people.
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How does I-70 compare to other highways that are disliked by people?
There are other highways besides I-70 that drivers strongly dislike. According to Volvo’s survey, they found the top 10 most disliked highways in America. They based their rankings on factors like traffic, road conditions, safety, and scenery. These are the results:
- US-101 is a highway in California.
- I-5 is a highway in California.
- I-405 is a highway in California.
- The I-76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike
- I-70 is a highway in Colorado.
- I-65 is a highway in Alabama.
- DE-1 is the abbreviation for Delaware.
- I-87, also known as the New York State Thruway
- The I-90/I-94 expressways in Illinois are also known as the Dan Ryan and Kennedy Expressways.
- The Garden State Parkway is a highway located in New Jersey.
California is clearly the leader on the list, with three of its highways ranking in the top three positions. It’s not surprising because California has the highest population, the most cars, and the worst traffic in the country. The other highways on the list also have similar problems, like traffic, construction, and tolls.
In summary
I-70 is a highway in America that many people dislike, and there are valid reasons for this. The road is well-known for having a lot of traffic, closures, and difficult weather conditions, especially in the winter. The road has bad infrastructure and hasn’t been updated to meet the drivers’ needs. Although there are some attempts to enhance I-70, they are insufficient to make the drive enjoyable. Many drivers consider I-70 to be a necessary inconvenience that they must endure in order to reach their destination.
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