How will the Wadsworth construction project improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility?

    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.

    Will this project improve access to the Clear Creek Trail?

    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.


    Does the design change the access to businesses?

    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.

    Will RTD bus stops be impacted during construction?

    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 Avenue and 44th avenues) will move to near-side locations prior to the traffic signal. View the Planned RTD Bus Stop Locations map or the RTD Planned Bus Stop Changes table for more information on bus stops within the work zone.

    Will construction impact local traffic and neighborhood streets?

    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.

    What is a CFI and how does it work?

    A Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) replaces a typical busy intersection by allowing traffic turning left to cross oncoming traffic safely, before entering the intersection and continuing on to the destination. The ultimate Wadsworth improvement project will have CFIs at 38th and 44th Avenues. The current project builds the 44th Avenue CFI.


    When compared to traditional intersections, CFIs move traffic more efficiently and reduce the potential for a serious T-bone crash in the intersection.

    CFIs are becoming more and more popular in road design because they decrease the number of places at which drivers could cause a crash by turning in front of one another. In particular, CFIs are known to decrease T-bone crashes where a driver making a left turn crosses in front of oncoming traffic.

    Watch a video to see how it works.

    Are CFIs easy to use?

    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.

    Does the use of CFIs require more property than traditional intersections?

    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.

    Can CFIs be plowed?

    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.

    Did the public get to weigh in on the design?

    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.

    Where can I find more information about the public meeting that was held on October 26, 2021?

    A public meeting was held on Oct. 26 and hosted more than 70 community members. City staff and project partners including the contractor, were on hand to answer questions in an open house format. Materials from the meeting are posted under Project Map and Exhibits on this page.