The present invention provides a wide-sense, non-blocking WDM cross-conne ct that utilizes a relatively small number of wavelength interchangers. The cro ss- connect of the present invention comprises first, second and third fabrics and one o r more wavelength interchangers that interconnect the first and second fabrics. Demands that require a change in wavelength are routed through the first fabric, through one or more of the wavelength interchangers, and through the second fabric. Demands that do not require a change in wavelength are only routed through the third fabric. A routing algorithm is utilized to ensure that any sequence of connection requests and withdrawals can be routed without disturbing any currently routed requests.