Council approves $470,289 construction management contract for Wadsworth shared‑use path

The Wheat Ridge City Council voted unanimously June 8 to award a construction management services contract to Rockall Consulting Group for the Wadsworth Boulevard shared‑use path project between 32nd and 35th avenues.

Public Works Director Kent Kleman described the scope: a detached sidewalk on the west side between 32nd and 35th, added lighting, a bus pad and mill‑and‑overlay roadway work; the project had been designed in prior years and the city previously approved an IGA with CDOT for reimbursement. The recommended contract amount is $427,536.19 with a 10 percent contingency of $42,753.62, for a total contract authorization of $470,289.81.

Kleman told council the city received a roughly $7.5 million grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Transportation Improvement Program for the project; the city match is approximately $1 million. He said design and right‑of‑way work is complete, one remaining property closing was expected, and construcion could begin in July with a completion goal by year‑end (some ditch work slated for October). He noted the contract for construction management is reimbursable up to 86.5% per CDOT guidelines.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about which side of Wadsworth would receive the sidewalk (west side only), the intersection work at 35th (the intersection improvements are part of CDOT's project and remain in design), and property acquisition status. Council approved the motion to award the contract; the clerk recorded the vote as eight ayes, no nays.

The approval allows staff to move forward with a pre‑construction meeting and coordinate the construction schedule with the prime contractor and CDOT.