Wheat Ridge moves forward on West 38th Avenue (30th) improvements: sidewalks, bike lanes, roundabouts and undergrounding on table

Wheat Ridge public works staff on March 3 presented conceptual designs and public‑engagement results for the West 30th Avenue West Street Improvement Project, a roughly 1.75‑mile corridor upgrade from Kipling Street to Youngfield Street that would add continuous sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, upgraded stormwater piping and three roundabouts while narrowing travel lanes to calm speeds.

Why it matters: The corridor has sidewalk gaps, drainage issues and perceived high travel speeds; councilors and residents pressed for measures that improve safety, pedestrian and bike access, and stormwater outcomes. Staff and consultants said the project will make the corridor more accessible for nonauto travel, reduce crash severity at key junctions and create long‑term stormwater infrastructure.

Project highlights and design choices: Staff recommended a single lane each way with 10‑foot travel lanes (nationally acceptable narrow lane), buffered on‑street bike lanes where right‑of‑way allows, continuous ADA‑compliant sidewalks on both sides, and three urban roundabouts at Taber Court, Parfette Street (replacing an existing signal) and Miller Street. Roundabouts are shown as mountable centers to allow passage of large vehicles. Where appropriate the design includes low‑impact development features (rain gardens/bioswales) to improve water quality.

Public outreach and costs: The final‑design phase follows about 18 months of study and three public outreach rounds. Staff reported approximately 922 visits to the project website; a July/August survey returned 13 responses with 11 expressing support. The preliminary construction cost estimate provided by the city’s consultant is about $19.1 million (includes a 30% contingency early in design). Undergrounding existing overhead utilities was estimated separately at roughly $7,000,000; staff said Xcel Energy’s 1% program could provide roughly $2,000,000 now and can be advanced up to three years (about $0.5M/year typical accrual), leaving a funding gap if the city wants full undergrounding at construction.

Traffic, safety and emergency access: Staff said existing two‑lane configuration and traffic volumes (about 6,900 vehicles per day noted in study counts) can function in a one‑lane each way layout; narrowed lanes and the roundabouts are intended to reduce speeds. Staff also reported coordination with West Metro Fire; the design allows mountable roundabout centers for buses and fire apparatus so emergency response is not impaired. Councilors and residents discussed whether the Miller Street roundabout should be relocated one block west to reduce impacts on the Cambridge Park gated entrance; staff said the location remains open to refinement and that staff will meet directly with the Cambridge Park HOA.

Stormwater and construction: The plan includes an outfall and detention strategy to route water to Clear Creek and replace or enlarge segments of the existing storm system where needed. Final design, including decisions about whether to perform full-depth pavement replacement or mill-and-overlay, will determine final costs. Staff projected about a 12‑month design period with construction expected 18–24 months if funded; traffic would remain open during construction using staged work techniques.

Council direction: Council provided consensus to move forward with final design as described and asked staff to pursue the undergrounding conversation with Xcel and explore funding options; staff will proceed with final design and return with refined cost estimates and right‑of‑way acquisition plans.

Sources: Public works presentation by Director Maria DeAndrea, consultant materials, public comment at the March 3 meeting.