US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard Improvements

Since the original interchange at US 6 (also known as West Sixth Avenue) and Wadsworth Boulevard was constructed in the 1950s, the Denver metro area has seen significant population growth, resulting in an increase in crashes and congestion across the region. The City of Lakewood and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began planning efforts to improve this interchange more than 30 years ago after determining the interchange was no longer able to meet existing and future transportation needs.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed for the project in 2009, and in March 2010 a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued, which identified the proposed design alternative for construction and provided federal environmental clearance.

CDOT’s design and construction of these planned improvements have been occurring since 2014, with individual project phases constructed as funding was identified. Phase 1, 2, 3 and 5 have been completed. The larger interchange reconstruction, completion of connections for pedestrians and bicyclists, and additional noise mitigation – referred to as Phase 4 – remains the largest and most critical improvement still needed.

The cost for the entire project (all 5 phases) is approximately $202 million. This includes design, construction, land acquisition, and other project-related costs. In 2023, the city partnered with CDOT and received a $20 million federal grant, which allowed for final design and construction of the final phase (Phase 4). Bids were solicited in 2026, and CDOT entered into a contract with Ames Construction valued at $79.9 million.  Construction will take place from fall 2026 through the end of 2029.

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