A 30-Year Journey
1996 – The CDOT Transportation Commission proposes a Strategic Transportation Project Investment Program (STPIP) consisting of 28 critical transportation projects across the state. One of these is the West Corridor Project along US 6 from I-70 to I-25. Without additional funding, CDOT determines that it would take 65 years to complete all 28 projects. The Transportation Commission pledges to budget some money each year toward these projects.
1997 – The state legislature passes SB 97-01, which requires that 10.335 percent of all state sales tax revenues be transferred to the Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF), subject to certain conditions. The Transportation Commission commits to using these funds toward the STPIP.
1997 – The West Corridor Major Investment Study is published. The study, prepared by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), evaluates multimodal transportation needs between Denver, Lakewood, and Golden, ultimately leading to the preferred alternative to construct the RTD W light rail transit line and subsequent highway upgrades such as the US 6/Wadsworth Boulevard project including the interchange.
1999 – Referendum A-Financing State Transportation Projects, commonly referred to as the TransBond election, passes. The intent of this effort is to accelerate the completion of the STPIP projects by issuing bonds rather than raising taxes. Through bonding, the projects could be constructed sooner by providing the funds immediately rather than waiting to accumulate funds.
2003 – Jefferson County ranks the widening of Wadsworth from West 4th and 14th avenues, as the highest request for state highway projects in the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program.
2003 – Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder sends letters to the Transportation Commission to urge them to move forward with the West Corridor Project, specifically requesting that, “… the Commission define the improvements in the West Corridor as the rebuilding of the US 6/Wadsworth (SH 121) interchange and the US 6/Sheridan (SH 95) interchange,” and that interchange feasibility studies be completed. The City and County of Denver sends a letter of support for these efforts.
2004 – Mayor Burkholder and city staff speak with the congressional delegation seeking an “earmark” to begin the project. Federal funds of $500,000 is allocated to begin the environmental assessment process.
2005 – Referendum D, a ballot initiative for increased roadway funding, fails. The West Corridor was identified as a high priority on CDOT’s prioritized list of projects for this referendum.
2007 – An Environmental Assessment (EA) of the US 6/Wadsworth Interchange area extending to Garrison Street and Wadsworth widening from West 4th to West 14th avenues begins.
2010 – CDOT publishes the EA with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the US 6/Wadsworth Project. The EA Build Alternative is what will ultimately be constructed.
2011 – The City of Lakewood separates a portion of the project as an “early action” effort to widen Wadsworth from West 10th Avenue to West 14th avenues (Phase 1). The city secures $6.24 million in federal grants matched with $1.56 million of city funds.
2012 – The city obtains a $5.4 million federal grant with a $2.8 million city match for the Wadsworth widening from Highland Drive to West 10th (Phase 2).
2012 – CDOT conducts a US 6 and Wadsworth Update Workshop to evaluate options for “packaging” the various project elements. The recommendation of that effort was to seek construction bids for the entire interchange with a bid date of August 2013. However, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determined that because the project exceeded a total cost of $100 million, CDOT is required to prepare a financial plan. This delays the project bid.
2013 – Northern Colorado experienced a series of catastrophic floods due to a 1,000-year rain event that caused hundreds of millions of dollars in roadway damage. This causes many highway construction companies to be too busy for several years, decreasing the likelihood of a favorable bidding environment for the interchange phase of construction. Bidding is delayed.
2015 – Construction of Phase 1 is completed.
2016 – Construction to replace the bridge on US 6 over Garrison Street is completed.
2016 – CDOT sends a letter to the city providing an update on the project. The letter notes that while Phases 1 and 2 are funded, complete, or under construction, the interchange is not funded. The cost estimate for the remaining work is $70 million.
2020 – Construction of Phase 2 is completed.
2023 – CDOT and the City of Lakewood apply for a $ 45 million RAISE discretionary grant. In the summer of 2023, the federal government awards $20 million to be used for the interchange reconstruction (Phase 4).
2025 – Construction of Phase 3 is completed.
2025 – Construction of Phase 5 is completed.
2026 – Bids are solicited for Phase 4. A construction contract is awarded to Ames Construction. Work on Phase 4 begins in October 2026.