FRISCO |  Colorado transportation officials say they want to alleviate congestion and improve safety on a popular mountain highway by boring a new three-lane tunnel for traffic heading from Denver.

But the Summit Daily News reports the Colorado Department of Transportation already has a $10 billion project backlog and doesn’t have the $550 million for the project on Interstate 70. That means construction is probably years away, if it’s not modified or scrapped before then.

The I-70 tunnel project would replace a steep, two-lane curve and bridge at the interchange with U.S. Highway 6.

Stacia Sellers of the Colorado Department of Transportation says the department is also proposing a short-term solution by constructing an $80 million express lane. Construction could begin next year if there is funding.

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Information from: Summit Daily News, https://www.summitdaily.com/

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