Phase 4: US 6 & Wadsworth Boulevard Interchange Reconstruction
About the Project
Since the original interchange at US 6 (also known as 6th Avenue) and Wadsworth Boulevard was constructed in the 1950s, the Denver Metro Area has seen explosive population growth, resulting in an increase in crashes and congestion across the region. CDOT began planning efforts to improve this interchange more than 15 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 a set of improvements in the interchange area and provided environmental clearance.
Design and construction of these planned improvements has been occurring since 2014, with individual project phases being conducted as funding was identified. While portions of the project have been completed adjacent to the interchange area, the larger interchange reconstruction, completion of connections for pedestrians and bicyclists, and additional noise mitigation remain the largest and most critical improvements still needed. Design and updated environmental clearance activities for the full interchange are currently underway and construction is anticipated to begin in early Summer 2026. Information about each phase can be found in the Resources section of this page.
Phase 4 Improvements
- Replacing the US 6 bridge over Wadsworth Boulevard
- Changing the interchange configuration from a cloverleaf to a diamond interchange with a loop ramp in the northwest quadrant (removing the loop ramps in all other quadrants and replacing with new longer on- and off-ramps)
- Lengthening on-ramp acceleration lanes
- Realigning the frontage road in the northeast and northwest quadrants to accommodate the diamond ramp configuration
- Widening Wadsworth to three lanes in each direction from W. 4th Avenue to W. Broadview Drive to match the roadway north and south of the interchange
- Constructing a detached 10-foot-wide multi-use path along both sides of Wadsworth to connect to existing paths north and south of the interchange built in the prior phases
- Improving crosswalks and adding push button-activated flashing beacons at unsignalized crossings of ramp traffic
- Adding a pedestrian underpass at the US 6 loop ramp to provide continuous safe pedestrian access along the west side of Wadsworth Boulevard
- Installing crosswalks with pedestrian-activated flashing beacons at free-right turn movements of the on-ramps and off-ramps
- Adding a westbound auxiliary lane on the north side of US 6 between the US 6 on-ramp and Carr Street off-ramp
- Adding noise walls in the northeast, northwest, and southeast quadrants of the interchange along US 6 and Highland Avenue
- Constructing a new water quality extended detention basin (pond) to treat stormwater runoff
- Replacing the McIntyre Gulch and South Lakewood Gulch culverts under US 6
- Adding new curb, gutter, and storm sewer throughout the improvement area
Noise Walls
After studying noise levels generated by US 6 traffic, CDOT determined that noise walls are recommended in all four quadrants of the US 6 & Wadsworth interchange. The walls will noticeably reduce traffic noise for approximately 380 residences.
New noise walls were added in early 2025 in the southwest quadrant of the interchange. When the full interchange is reconstructed, a short portion of the easternmost section of the southwest quadrant noise wall will be reconstructed and shifted slightly south to accommodate the planned alignment of the eastbound US 6 off ramp.
Property owners and tenants who would benefit from walls in the other three interchange quadrants were surveyed in early 2025. An overwhelming majority of respondents confirmed they are in support of the noise walls. CDOT has completed the required noise analysis process and confirmed that walls in the northwest, northeast, and southeast quadrants of the interchange will be built with the full interchange reconstruction. The walls will vary in height (12 to 14 feet) and will be made of an absorptive material to assist in noise reduction.
The walls in all four quadrants will look the same - chiseled limestone blocks stained a light beige color with a dark brown stripe near the top of the wall. This design will closely match the look of the existing noise walls.
