Denver Public Works is working to address the congestion issues on a 20-block stretch of Quebec Street that has worsened in recent years and is proposing to add lanes to all or a portion of that stretch of the corridor.

The area spans Quebec from Sixth to 26th avenues, a stretch of the road that is still two lanes — one in each direction.

Due to the buildout of both the Lowry and Stapleton neighborhoods, two lanes is no longer adequate on this portion of Quebec and traffic is worsening during peak times.

Public Works has been studying the issue as part of its Quebec Alternatives Analysis and had its last public meeting in July, narrowing the list down to two viable options for improvement: keeping Quebec a two-lane street and reconfiguring it to make it four lanes at intersections; or reconfiguring the entire length to four lanes.

Both plans include sidewalk installation and improvement.

“Our goals of the study are not only to relieve congestion, but to improve the environments for all the modes of transportation,” senior transportation planner Cindy Patton said.

With either plan, the city will have to widen the road slightly, but the changes won’t displace people from their homes. Some homes may lose a small amount of property, but most of the land that would be needed is already on city property.

The area spans the districts of both Denver City Councilman Chris Herndon and Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman and both say they have heard from many of their constituents about the problems in the area.

“Traffic along Quebec is getting to the point where it’s unbearable,” Herndon said. “I applaud the city for looking at it.”

The worst stretches along Quebec are around Colfax and 17th avenues and Montview Boulevard.

The estimated travel time for the corridor is 8.8 minutes during peak hours for the 20-block stretch. If nothing is done in 10 years, it’s estimated that it will worsen to 13.3 minutes. If the road is reconfigured to the two-lane option, it will reduce the travel to 6.8 minutes and be effective for 17 years. The four-lane option will reduce travel time to 5.5 minutes and work for 26 years.

The estimated cost for two-lane reconfiguration is $15.5 million to $16.5 million. Four lanes will cost $24 million to $25 million.

Public Works can now start to apply for funds either through the city’s capital improvement budget or federal grants. Money could also come from a future bond issue.

“This time there is a realistic light at the end of the tunnel,” Susman said.

Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joe_vacc