Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Engineering

 

TO:

Dave Corliss, Chuck Soules

FROM:

Terese Gorman

CC:

Steve Lashley, David Woosley, Bill Ahrens

Date:

April 24, 2006

RE:

Naismith Bike Lanes

 

Project Description.  The northbound lane of Naismith Drive will be overlaid this summer as part of the Phase 2 overlay contract.  Also, the curb and gutter will be removed and replaced at the same time.

 

Project Description/History.  On August 24, 2004, the Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Plan was amended and adopted by the City Commission.  Attached is a copy of this plan.  On page 12 of this document, Naismith Drive was classified as a Type II bicycle facility which is placing bike lanes on an existing street.  Also, the 1999 Bicycle Compatibility Index Study for eleven existing streets in the City of Lawrence states the following:

 

“Naismith (from Irving Hill to 23rd Street)  Considering the direct connectivity of this roadway between the University of Kansas and the Naismith Valley Park, it is this study’s recommendation that:  bike lanes are warranted and are practical.  Connectivity issues remain regarding the access to the bikepath south of 23rd Street as well as traffic capacity issues at the intersections of 19th Street.  Initial review indicates that removal of a through travel lane will not adversely effect traffic capacity.  In fact, changing to a dedicated southbound right-turn lane at the 19th Street intersection may have capacity benefits.  However, it should be noted that existing conditions operate at LOS D during the PM peak period.  During sporting events on campus, Naismith will need to operate with two lanes in each direction.  For these limited periods of time, the bike lanes will be inoperative.”

 

Project Status.  The overlay contract, Phase 2, which includes Naismith Drive, was awarded by the City Commission on April 18.  It was bid as having it striped as it currently exists – a two lane street northbound.

 

Project Details.  This section of Naismith Drive was originally constructed as a monolithic concrete street in 1955.  It was 22 feet wide from the back of curb to the back of curb, so it provided two 10’-6” driving lanes in the northbound direction.  Once this street is overlaid and the curb and gutter replaced, the street could be restriped as a 4-foot bicycle lane and a 14-foot northbound driving lane with new 2-feet wide curb and gutter on each side of the street.

 

Project Funding.  The overlay and curb and gutter replacement are funded by the city budget.  The pavement marking would need to be changed from a skip white centerline to a solid white bike lane line with bike symbols.  The additional cost would be approximately $3,500.

 

Action Request.  Provide direction whether to change Naismith Drive northbound to one driving lane and one bike lane or for it to remain as two driving lanes.

 

 

___________________

Terese A. Gorman, P.E.

City Engineer

 

Attachment