North Dry Gulch
Project Description
The North Dry Gulch Improvement Project is a collaborative effort between the City of Lakewood, the Mile High Flood District, American West Construction, and Muller Engineering. This project is focused on addressing the chronic flooding issues along West Colfax Avenue. It aims to protect the local community, businesses, and city infrastructure by implementing effective flood mitigation strategies. These strategies include construction of a new storm sewer system to remove the existing floodplain from businesses and residences along the North Dry Gulch corridor. For more information and a map of the project limits, please see our project website.
Construction from Pierce Street to Teller Street will take place from December 2025 – June 2026.
March 2026 Update
Recently Completed Work
Stormwater box culvert has been installed along Pierce Street. Sanitary sewer relocations are complete along Pierce Street, Lakewood Place, and Reed Street. The sewer line was relocated to allow room for the storm sewer mainline (box culvert).
Current Work
Box culvert placement along Lakewood place is under construction. Gas relocations and water line lowering are concurrent with storm pipe laterals and inlets.
Upcoming Work
Paving of Pierce Street and sidewalk along Reed Street will be starting soon.
Traffic Impacts
Pierce Street from Colfax to Lakewood Place is currently closed with an approximate reopening by the end of March.
Lakewood Place is closed from Pierce Street to Reed Street with an approximate reopening by the end of April. Businesses on this street remain open and accessible.
Various soft closures for utility work will be happening on Reed Street and W. 16th Avenue.
Businesses will remain open and accessible during construction. Flaggers will be working to direct traffic through the contraction area during this time.
Target Project Completion
Major construction activities are expected to be completed by the end of June 2026 for the current phase from Pierce Street to Teller Street.
Construction of the storm sewer continues on Pierce Street north of West Colfax Avenue. Sections of the large box culvert can be seen in background storage area. Section of this box culvert are 11 feet wide and 6 feet tall.