Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Engineering
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TO: |
Dave Corliss, Chuck Soules |
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FROM: |
Terese Gorman |
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CC: |
Steve Lashley, David Woosley, Bill Ahrens |
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Date: |
June 2, 2006 |
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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.
Additional Information. The City Commission initially discussed this on May 9, 2006 and directed staff to talk to the adjacent neighborhood and KU. David Woosley and I met with Betty Alderson and
she feels that Naismith should stay the way it is. It has always been two lanes and she feels that changing it would be detrimental to the neighborhood. She would like for a sidewalk to be constructed along the east side of Naismith. The estimated cost to construct a 6 feet wide sidewalk on the east side of Naismith Drive from 19th Street to 23rd Street is $100,000. There are several areas where a pedestrian easement will be needed and this cost is not included in the estimate.
I also exchanged e-mails with Jerry Schultz who is a representative of the Centennial Neighborhood Association Steering Committee. This committee discussed the proposed bike lanes along Naismith Drive and felt that it would be unsafe for bicyclists. They would prefer a wide sidewalk along the east side of Naismith Drive.
Staff also discussed the bike lane concept with representatives of KU. They were concerned initially with how traffic would maneuver at the intersection of 19th Street. Traffic counts taken in 2004 by KDOT were discussed noting that the 24 hour volume on Naismith was 7,620 vehicles as compared to the 24-hour volume on 19th Street just west of Naismith which is 10,875. And on Louisiana just south of 19th the 24-hour volume is 11,510 vehicles. So, it was determined that Naismith Drive is capable of handling the daily volume of 7,620 vehicles with just one lane of traffic. KU representatives understood that Naismith Drive south of 19th Street was a city street and supported bike lanes but expressed concern about the impact bike lanes would have on Naismith Drive north of 19th Street on the KU campus. They also noted that if Naismith Drive southbound was changed to one lane of traffic and one bike lane that it would raise traffic management issues during significant events at KU. Staff agreed that adding bike lanes on Naismith Drive southbound would be discussed extensively with both KU and the Lawrence Police Department before this was done.
This issue was also discussed with the Bicycle Advisory Committee and they strongly supported the addition of bike lanes along Naismith Drive and noted that it was in conformance with the adopted Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Plan.
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.
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Terese A. Gorman, P.E.
City Engineer
TAG/je
Attachment: Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Plan