Improve Wadsworth

Crews may set additional boulders, lay rock mulch and place topsoil this fall in the landscape zones. Planting will likely start in the spring. More areas will be available to the landscaping contractor in the spring, including the center median and at the south end of the project.

Wheat Ridge and the construction team are working with the artists to finalize locations for the artwork. The placement of the artwork is currently not scheduled.

The northeast and southwest corners at Wadsworth Boulevard / 44th Avenue are where the future continuous flow lanes meet the intersection. The current traffic pattern for westbound 44th Avenue turning right to northbound Wadsworth is in a temporary alignment closer to the curb then it will be in the final alignment. The same is true from the eastbound 44th Avenue right turn to southbound Wadsworth. The contractor recently added more devices to this area to better delineate the curb location and desired travel paths. You can learn more about continuous flow intersection on the project page under Frequently Asked Questions: What is a CFI and how does it work?

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. 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. In order to mitigate the visual impact of the sound wall, public art will be included on the wall. You can learn more about the sound wall on the project page under Frequently Asked Questions: What's the new wall along northbound Wadsworth north of 35th Avenue for?

Thank you for your questions. The right turn only sign exiting the Ross/Big Lots parking lot is applicable to the final project configuration. The temporary cover over the right turn only sign was missing. A new cover has been installed. 

As part of the project, the traffic signal will be removed from the Ross/Big Lots parking lot access/3 Acre Lane intersection and be converted to a right-in, right-out only configuration for both Ross/Big Lots and 3 Acres Lane.

A new traffic signal will be installed at 41st Avenue with direct access to the Ross/Big Lots parking lot. This signal will provide full access with all turning movements from all approaches. Marked crosswalks are provided on all legs of the intersection.

A new crossover traffic signal will also be installed at 39th Avenue. This signal will allow direct southbound left turn access into the main driveway to the Safeway complex. This traffic signal stops northbound Wadsworth traffic to allow southbound traffic to either enter Safeway or the continuous flow lane to make a left turn at 38th Avenue. The 39th Avenue traffic signal does not allow left turns from northbound Wadsworth and eastbound/westbound 39th Avenue. At 39th Avenue, only right-in and right-out movements will be allowed.

The project increases capacity and mobility on Wadsworth and major intersections like 38th and 44th avenues. This decreases the likelihood of non-local traffic cutting through the neighborhoods in an attempt to save time.

This project upgrades just about all the underground utilities along the corridor. The large concrete pipes, which are about six feet in diameter, are for the new storm sewer system. Concrete manholes and inlets are also part of the conveyance system for stormwater. Thank you for the thoughtful question!

During construction, the contractor for the Wadsworth Improvement project is required to keep two lanes open in each direction except for periodic northbound single lane closures during off-peak travel times, 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.

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. In the case of 47th Avenue, traffic data was collected before construction began so that we can compare that data with any changes that occur during construction. 

Anyone with neighborhood traffic concerns can call the construction project team at 303-390-0878 or email WadsworthProject@ci.wheatridge.co.us and we will review on a case-by-case basis. If initial actions are not effective, additional temporary traffic calming measures may be considered.

Thanks for your question. CDOT has not placed traffic cameras on Wadsworth; however, to receive regular updates on the project subscribe to traffic alerts on the City website.

Schedule and traffic impact information will also be updated weekly on the City's web home page at ci.wheatridge.co.us and any community concerns may be directed to the project hotline at 303-390-0878 or email wadsworthproject@ci.wheatridge.co.us

Thank you for your question.

Some businesses at the southeast corner of 44^th and Wadsworth will lose parking in front of their buildings due to the improvements to adjacent streets. There is sufficient parking behind these buildings to accommodate customer and employee parking. All property owners were compensated for any property that was acquired for the project. Additionally, they were compensated for any improvements such as parking within the purchased property. City staff has met with a number of impacted property owners to help determine ideas for improving parking areas and walkways using some of the funds they were paid for their property to ensure the access points are attractive and safe for customers. Part of the improvement project is to add connecting sidewalks and landscaped areas so that the road does not directly abut adjacent businesses. This will improve connectivity and safety along the corridor.

Again, thank you for your thoughtful question.

The closest access to the Clear Creek Trail for bikes/pedestrians from the Leppla Manor neighborhood is the Otis Street Trailhead. Until a direct bike/ped connection is made at the 48^th cul-de-sac with the Wadsworth Improvement construction, this neighborhood will be able to access the new multi-use path along the east side of Wadsworth thru the local street network in the neighborhood on either 45^th Avenue, 45^th Place, or 46^th Avenue, which are all low volume, low speed local streets.

There is currently an elevation difference between the cul-de-sac and the adjacent sidewalk that would require significant changes in order to connect the two. However, once the Wadsworth Improvement project is complete, the City will explore options for connecting the cul-de-sac to the sidewalk.

Thank you for your great questions! The City is still working through the bid evaluation process for this project and the general contractor has not yet been announced. We hope to announce the name of the general contractor in August. The delivery method was not design-build, but design-bid-build. The designs have been completed with thorough Federal Highway Administration and Colorado Department of Transportation review.