Frequently Asked Questions

In December 2024, traffic signal mast arms and equipment were placed over Wadsworth Boulevard. In many cases, the signal heads are bagged and not in operation. The project constructs continuous flow intersection (CFI) intersections at 38th and 44th Avenue. Each CFI intersection requires two crossover signals, which allow traffic turning left to cross oncoming traffic safely, in addition to the main signalized intersection. Although there are more signals along the corridor, CFI traffic signals are synchronized to move traffic more efficiently than traditional intersections. Answers to frequently asked questions about CFIs and a map of the project that shows traffic signal locations are available on https://whatsupwheatridge.com/improve-wadsworth.

The project also installs a new traffic signal at 41st Avenue. The current signal at 3 Acre Lane (north of 41st Avenue) will be removed. 

Traffic signals will also provide protected pedestrian crossings at frequent intervals along the Wadsworth corridor.

The project includes:

New sidewalk along the west side of Wadsworth and a continuous multi-use path along the east side. The new sidewalks will be at least eight feet wide in all but one location and will be separated from the street by either an eight-foot landscape zone or a narrower paved section.

New direct connections to Johnson Park and the Clear Creek Trail. More information is provided under the ‘Will this project improve access to the Clear Creek Trail?’ FAQ.

Raised crosswalks across right-turn lanes at several locations. At intersections where the right-turn lane is separated from other lanes by a concrete island, a raised crosswalk is included to slow drivers down. Raised crosswalks will be constructed at the northwest and southeast corners of the 44th Avenue intersection and the northwest corner of 38th Avenue intersection.

Consolidating driveways to reduce potential conflicts. The project will improve access control along the corridor. Pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from fewer driveway crossings. In addition, major driveway crossings will be set back from the street and striped with crosswalk markings to help increase safety.

Pedestrian lighting. The project includes pedestrian lighting along sidewalks and paths for safety and to increase visibility at driveways and street crossings.

Yes! New direct connections to Johnson Park and the Clear Creek Trail will be constructed. A new eight-foot wide sidewalk will be built on the west side of Wadsworth between 48th Avenue and the driveway to Johnson Park. This section of sidewalk will be higher than the adjacent travel lanes and increases safety for pedestrians.

A new multi-use path will be constructed along the east side of Wadsworth connecting directly to Clear Creek Trail. The path will be separated from vehicle traffic by either a four-feet landscape zone or bridge railing. Sidewalk and path improvements are designed to increase accessibility for all users.

The final design promotes safe access to businesses along Wadsworth with the addition of medians and new traffic signals. While left turns may be limited for safety in some areas of the corridor by the medians, safe signalized left turns will be allowed into major shopping centers at 36th, 39th, 43rd, and 45th Avenues. Cyclists and pedestrians also have greater access to businesses from the new sidewalks that will run the length of Wadsworth from 35th Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail.

Yes. Most bus stops will remain open during construction. However, temporary bus stop closures will be necessary during construction. RTD Rider Alerts provide the latest bus stop closure information.

While most of the bus stops along Wadsworth Boulevard, 38th Avenue and 44th Avenue will be reconstructed in approximately the same location as before the project, there are a few changes to note. Bus stops on Wadsworth at the continuous flow intersections (38th and 44th avenues) will move to near-side locations prior to the traffic signal.

During construction, the contractor for the Wadsworth Improvement project is required to keep two lanes open in each direction on Wadsworth except for periodic northbound single lane closures during mid-day periods, and occasional night work. However, even with the same number of lanes open on Wadsworth, we recognize that neighborhoods may be impacted by drivers avoiding the project area. Lane closures on cross streets, such as 44th Avenue and 38th Avenue, may also impact traffic circulation.

Wheat Ridge Police and Public Works Departments are working with the construction team to address those impacts through proactive community outreach and notification, good signage, strategic placement of speed feedback boards, and increased traffic patrols. Traffic speed and volumes will be monitored on streets with potential traffic concerns. Data for more than a dozen streets is available for review upon request.

Anyone with neighborhood traffic concerns can call the construction project team at 303-390-0878 or email WadsworthProject@ci.wheatridge.co.us. All inquiries will be forwarded to City staff for review on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. By following lane markings, signage, and other cars, drivers will intuitively know where to go to make a left hand turn as they drive along Wadsworth Boulevard.

No. Our CFI design will move cars more efficiently and take up less space than a traditional intersection with two left turn lanes. This means the City will purchase less property at 38th and 44th avenues than would have been necessary with traditional intersections at these locations.

Yes. Snow removal in CFI lanes does not pose any greater concern than traditional intersections. As with all state highways, the City and CDOT will work collaboratively to ensure the improved Wadsworth Boulevard, including CFI lanes, is plowed during a snowstorm. While a final determination has not yet been made, it is quite likely that City staff will take responsibility for plowing the CFI lanes on Wadsworth Boulevard.

Yes. From 2014 to 2020, members of the project team conducted more than 30 public meetings plus "block by block" meetings with businesses to create the final design. The final design took into account the input of the public, businesses, neighbors, and Wheat Ridge voters who supported improvements to Wadsworth in the 2016 election. It balances that input with state and federal requirements, which apply to this state highway, in order to fully fund the project.

A public meeting was held on Oct. 26, 2021 before construction, and more than 70 community members attended. City staff and project partners including the contractor, were on hand to answer questions in an open house format.

Several Colorado Department of Transportation projects are underway near the project area. Real-time construction travel alerts on state highways and I-70 are posted at cotrip.org. Visit I-70 & Harlan Street Bridge Replacement & Interchange Safety Improvements for more information on an adjacent major improvement project including ways to connect with the project team. 

We understand the frustration of overlapping projects. However, funding availability plays a big part in determining when projects are scheduled for construction. Wheat Ridge is thankful for the state and federal financial support and is not in a position to delay the Wadsworth construction project.

Additional funding became available to construct permanent improvements at the south end of the Wadsworth corridor including the project's second CFI at 38th Avenue, and the project schedule extended as a result. Completing the full project now will save money, eliminate the need for temporary work, and prevent having to come back in future years to make the ultimate improvement at the south end of the corridor. The project is now slated to be complete in spring of 2026. A video update is available below.

The tall wall under construction along northbound Wadsworth between 35th and 36th avenues is a sound wall. 

Wheat Ridge received almost $44 million in federal funding for this project. As part of the federal process, potential impacts were analyzed during the environmental phase, which was complete in fall 2019. A noise analysis was conducted for several multi-family properties that were either existing or under development. If analysis showed that any receptors, i.e. residents, were impacted, then the feasibility and reasonableness of noise mitigation was analyzed. Eligible properties were given the option to have a sound wall installed if it would provide a measurable benefit. Of all the properties that were asked, only Morningside Apartments chose to have a wall installed, so this will be the only noise wall constructed. The noise analysis indicated that a 20-foot wall was needed to provide the necessary benefit to the apartment complex east of Wadsworth north of 35th Avenue. CDOT Noise Analysis and Abatement Guidelines further explains the city's role and when noise mitigation is considered for transportation projects.

In order to mitigate the visual impact of the sound wall, public art will be included on the wall.

Several commissioned art pieces will be installed as part of the project. All funding for the art installation has already been encumbered. The city and the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission advertised a call to artists in 2022. The proposal by JCAS Studio, a collaboration of local artists, was approved by the City Council on Nov. 14, 2022. A detailed presentation given at City Council highlights the artist selection process.