After years of anticipation, planning, and construction, the City of Wheat Ridge is proud to announce the substantial completion of the Wadsworth Improvement Project, the largest infrastructure project the city has ever undertaken. Wadsworth Boulevard is now fully open, featuring safer, smoother, and more efficient travel for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders alike.
While final touches such as landscaping and artwork installation will be finished in the spring, the major work is done, and the community is ready to celebrate!
“This is a milestone moment for Wheat Ridge,” said Mayor Korey Stites. “We’ve turned one of the busiest corridors in our city into a modern gateway that will serve our residents and businesses for decades to come.”
The project reconstructed Wadsworth Boulevard between 35th Avenue and I-70, adding new lanes for traffic flow, raised medians for safety, and improved signalized access to local businesses. Continuous sidewalks on the west side and a new multi-use trail on the east side provide long-awaited connections to the Clear Creek Trail and beyond.
The highlight of the improvements is the two continuous-flow intersections (CFIs) at 38th Avenue and 44th Avenue, the first of their kind in Jefferson County. These innovative intersections allow left-turning traffic to move before reaching the main intersection, keeping cars moving, dramatically reducing congestion and the potential for collisions.
The completion of this project fuels community growth and economic opportunity. During construction ten new businesses have opened along the corridor, with more to come, taking advantage of the improved access and welcoming streetscape. City leaders say more investment is expected as the corridor’s transformation draws new businesses and customers to Wheat Ridge.
The Wadsworth Improvement Project represents an $85 million investment in Wheat Ridge, funded through federal, state, regional, and local sources, including support from Wheat Ridge voters through a half cent sales tax. City leaders note that the project’s success reflects years of collaboration between residents, businesses, CDOT, and the construction team.
“We know construction was disruptive at times, and we want to thank our community for their patience,” said Wheat Ridge City Manager Patrick Goff. “Together, we’ve delivered a safer, more connected, and more vibrant Wadsworth Boulevard.”
With the road now fully open, Wheat Ridge looks forward to the next chapter for its busiest corridor: one where safety, mobility, and economic vitality come together to strengthen the community.
