CDOT begins remaining reconstruction work at US-6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange

Project Announcement

Oct. 28, 2026 - Jefferson County - Construction is underway to improve the interchange area

Jefferson County - The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Ames Construction have begun construction of critical transportation improvements at the interchange of US Highway 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard in Lakewood. The project is located near Mile Point 281 on US 6, at and around the Wadsworth Boulevard interchange. Construction will extend along Wadsworth Boulevard between 4th Avenue and Highland Drive, and along US 6 from the eastern interchange ramps west to Meadowlark Drive.

The existing cloverleaf interchange will be replaced with a diamond design with only one loop ramp remaining in the northwest quadrant. This will improve safety and allow for longer on and off ramps. The structurally deficient US 6 bridge will also be reconstructed, providing long-term solutions for increasing traffic demands as the Denver metropolitan area continues to grow.

Aerial view of the US .6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange
Aerial view of the US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange looking east

Additional improvements will include new or extended noise walls in all four quadrants, a new pedestrian underpass of the northwest loop ramp, safer crosswalks with new traffic signals, drainage and water quality upgrades and landscaping.

Initial activities focused on relocations by utility companies and preparing and clearing work areas. CDOT installed erosion control measures for water quality purposes and air quality monitors in advance of project work. Other interchange reconstruction work will immediately follow as the utility companies finish relocations.

Initial work will also upgrade the Lakewood and McIntyre Gulch drainage channels under US 6, widen the highway and add temporary median paving to prepare for a traffic shift to the north. Side street lane closures and temporary frontage road closures will be required, with access maintained to homes and businesses and flaggers directing traffic as needed. Crews will also modify frontage roads and ramps and install a temporary signal at the westbound off ramp to accommodate closure of the northeast loop ramp. Beginning in summer 2027, phased traffic shifts will allow crews to replace the existing US 6 bridge one section at a time while minimizing travel impacts.

“Anyone who has driven through Wadsworth and 6th Avenue knows how overdue these improvements are,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “I’m so proud to have supported the federal funding for this project, which will make this busy interchange safer for the thousands of people who rely on it to get to school, commute to work, and run everyday errands while empowering the local economy. Making our aging infrastructure safer for people walking and biking will make a real difference for Lakewood families. I’m grateful to our state and local partners for their work to get us here.”

Design efforts for the current project phase were nearly completed in 2014 but put on hold due to lack of funding. Continued development was made possible in 2023 due to the RAISE Discretionary Grant Program, which awarded $20 million via the federal government for completion of the project. The design was finalized in 2025. Work is anticipated to be completed in late 2029.

“The need for this project has long been identified and championed by local agencies and recognized as a priority in CDOT’s 10-Year Transportation Plan. As a critical connection for communities across the region, the US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange has experienced congestion for years, making improvements an important investment in the traveling public,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “By partnering with the City of Lakewood to secure $20 million in federal RAISE grant funding, CDOT was able to supplement state, federal and local investments, complete project design and move forward with construction. These improvements will enhance safety and traffic flow for the many travelers who rely on this interchange.”

“It’s exciting to see this long-awaited and vital project become a reality, and we appreciate CDOT’s continued collaboration with our neighborhoods and the community to keep them informed and to minimize construction impacts,” said Lakewood City Manager Jon Cain. “Lakewood has worked with CDOT for decades to advance these improvements, which will enhance safety, strengthen connections for everyone who uses the transportation network, protect surrounding neighborhoods and support better environmental outcomes.”

“This project comes together after many years of collaboration with our partners in Lakewood representing an important investment in the safety and longevity of the US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange,” said CDOT Region 1 Transportation Director Jessica Myklebust. “These improvements will create safer, more reliable connections for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and mobility needs, improve traffic flow and provide better travel options for the local community and the growing Denver Metro area.”

Traffic Impacts

Construction activities are underway. For current road conditions and closures, visit COtrip.org.

  • Daytime work hours range from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday and night work will occur intermittently.
  • Work by utility companies is occurring on side streets and frontage roads across the interchange area, requiring some single lane and frontage road closures. Flaggers will direct traffic when necessary.
  • Business and residential access will be maintained.
  • Crews will work nights in late October/early November to set temporary barriers and stripe lane shifts along US 6 east of Wadsworth Boulevard. Expect a new traffic alignment to be in place the last week of October.
  • Additional traffic shifts will occur as the project progresses.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 55 MPH on US 6 between Garrison Street and Sheridan Boulevard for the duration of the project.
Map of US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange project limits
US 6 and Wadsworth Boulevard interchange project limits map

Work Completed

Elements of the planned interchange improvements were constructed in phases as funding became available. The first project phase completed in 2015 included widening Wadsworth Boulevard from four to six lanes and expanding multimodal capacity between 10th Avenue and Colfax Avenue. Additional work in 2020 widened Wadsworth Boulevard between the 6th Avenue Frontage Road and 10th Avenue and expanded and realigned Lakewood Gulch near its confluence with McIntyre Gulch. Enhanced pedestrian connectivity was implemented, and a noise wall was installed in the southwest quadrant. In 2025, the new water quality pond in the northeast quadrant was constructed.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!