Drivers along Wadsworth Boulevard will soon encounter a new type of intersection that aims to reduce congestion and improve safety. As part of the Improve Wadsworth project, the City of Wheat Ridge and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are introducing Continuous-Flow Intersections (CFIs) at 38th Avenue and 44th Avenue.
A continuous flow intersection or CFI, sometimes called a displaced left-turn intersection, moves left-turning traffic across opposing lanes before vehicles reach the main intersection. By shifting those movements in advance, left-turning cars no longer have to wait for a dedicated green arrow. Instead, through-traffic and left-turns can proceed at the same time, cutting down on delays and wait times.
Transportation officials say the design results in:
• Improved efficiency by eliminating extra signal phases.
• Reduced conflict points between vehicles, lowering the risk of crashes.
• Better traffic flow on busy corridors without the need for expensive overpasses.
“Wadsworth carries more than 50,000 vehicles a day, and these intersections are designed to handle that kind of volume,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker. “Once complete, drivers should see smoother trips through the corridor.”
Two CFIs will anchor the improvements at 38th and 44th avenues.
• The corridor will also see new raised medians, a continuous sidewalk on the west side, a multi-use path on the east, and additional through-lanes in both directions.
• The landscaping plan is extensive, featuring over 30,000 combined plants, shrubs, and trees.
While CFIs have been shown to be safer and more efficient, the design can feel unusual at first. Clear signage, pavement markings, and community education will be key in helping drivers adjust.
Construction on the Wadsworth project began in November 2021. Work on both the 38th Avenue and 44th Avenue CFIs is nearly complete. The CFIs are expected to open to traffic in November, and the project is expected to be substantially complete by the end of this year. The entire corridor upgrade is expected to be finished by spring 2026.
The total project includes modernizing and improving Wadsworth from 35th Avenue to I-70 with efficient and safe intersection designs, safer entrances and exits for vehicles accessing businesses, a continuous sidewalk on the west, and a bike/pedestrian path on the east side of Wadsworth from 35th Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail.
For resources and updates, visit https://whatsupwheatridge.com/improve-wadsworth
