There’s finally an end in sight for 16th Street construction.

The $172 million project overhauling Denver’s main corridor fully wraps up by Oct. 4, the Downtown Denver Partnership announced Wednesday.

That’s the date DDP, the City and County of Denver, the Regional Transportation District and PCL Construction are officially reopening 16th Street — exactly 43 years after its inaugural opening in 1982.

“We invite all Denverites and Coloradans to be part of this momentous celebration as we unveil the completion of this reconstruction project that has enhanced accessibility and infrastructure, expanded amenities and ‘moments of joy,’ and preserved the Downtown Denver’s iconic main street,” DDP said on its website.

Celebrations for the “grand reopening” begin at 11 a.m. that Saturday.

The construction project, which started in April 2022, was initially scheduled to be completed by late 2024. Delays pushed back its full completion until fall of this year.

Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure addressed the aging, original pavers and the rest of 16th Street’s deteriorating infrastructure. The issues perpetuated drainage problems and caused increased maintenance for RTD’s shuttles.

Returning visitors to the refreshed mall will notice that the street no longer has a median on some blocks. Shuttles will be moved to the center and there’s several more feet for the pedestrian walkway.

There’s also been more than 200 trees planted that provide a larger canopy and escape from the intense Colorado sun.

Some of what was then the 16th Street Mall’s old trees have been recycled into benches placed outside downtown’s new Populus hotel. The “Mall” was dropped from its name earlier this year as part of a rebranding effort. 

The street is lined with new art installations and children’s play areas ranging from a cowboy trout and a climbable beehive to three glittering Aspen tree sculptures on Glenarm Plaza.

There are also about 20 new outside patios for 16th Street businesses installed in time for the corridor’s first celebration this year — the 16th Street Summer Kickoff May 31 and June 1.

Thousands celebrated at the event where nine out of 13 street blocks were no longer under construction.

The festivities included an Olympic-style speed climbing competition, a U.S. women’s soccer watch party at Skyline Beer Garden and an outdoor bazaar of local vendors.

DDP hasn’t announced exactly what to expect this time around at 16th Street’s October grand reopening, but it did say the event “promises to be an extraordinary day of community celebration.”

Denver Gazette business reporter Bernadette Berdychowski contributed to this report.