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BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Cyclists from Westminster to Louisville will have a new option for Bike to Work Day on Wednesday as the new U.S. 36 Bikeway is set to open  in time for the annual event.

The bikeway offers a protected path for cyclists looking to travel along the U.S. 36 corridor. Phase 1 of the path extends 11 miles from 80th Avenue in Westminster to 88th Street in Louisville.

The path will open to the public Wednesday morning except for two short sections — 88th Street to Flatiron Crossing near Louisville and Sheridan/88th Avenue to 80th Avenue in Westminster.

Phase 2 of the project — extending 7 miles to Table Mesa Station in Boulder — will be completed in 2016. The bikeway will connect all six of the U.S. 36 RTD stations.

Chris Sommers always rides his bike from his home in Broomfield to a nearby bus stop, but Wednesday he could also choose to keep riding on the U.S. 36 bikeway.

“It’s nice just to have the option,” Sommers said. “It just makes it that much more doable if you are trying to bike the whole way, which I would definitely be down to do.”

The path is 10 to 12 feet wide in most parts and connects regional trails while also offering a smooth, separated lane that protects bicycle riders from vehicles.

Though there was a lot of last-minute work happening Tuesday, crews said the path would be swept and ready to go.

There will be special Bike to Work Day events along the bikeway.