Memorandum

Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Terese Gorman, David Woosley
Date:	October 25, 2006
RE:	Recommended George Williams Way Improvements

The 2007 debt service budget includes a total of $200,000 for improvements to GWW (north and south). Additional City debt service funds in 2007 will require shifts in priorities or consideration of an increase in future debt service mill levies.

GWW South of 6^th Street

GWW south of 6^th Street is a collector street which provides access to the Northgate Development. There currently exists a three-lane street (four lanes at the intersection). The right of way is 80 ft. (40 ft. east/west of section line). Six foot sidewalks and bike lanes exist on both sides of the street. A 12” waterline lies on the west side of GWW. The anticipated traffic volumes are projected to be in the 12,000 vpd (vehicles per day) range with projected peak hour volumes of 1,200 vph (vehicles per hour). Staff is recommending that GWW south be constructed with two through lanes in each direction with dual left-turn lanes. Additional right of way (20 ft.) will need to be dedicated on the west side of GWW.

If/when the east side develops, additional right of way will also be required. A separate northbound to eastbound right-turn lane may also be needed depending on the development on the east side. A single lane roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Ken Ridge Drive.

Intersection at GWW and 6^TH Street

Staff has discussed with KDOT the need to signalize this intersection with the construction of George Williams Way instead of necessarily waiting for warrants to be met. The amount of proposed development will generate traffic to meet volume warrants. KDOT has agreed to allow signals to be installed. Separate right-turn lanes on 6^th Street, both east and west bound at GWW, should also be constructed. When fully developed, the intersection will operate at an average level of service of “C” with some movements experiencing a level of service of “D”.

George Williams Way, north of 6^th Street is a minor arterial street which provides access to the Mercato and Oregon Trail developments, the Graham property, and possible future development to the north. A 10’ wide recreational path and a 6’ sidewalk should be constructed for pedestrians and bicyclists. Other infrastructure improvements include the extension of a 12” waterline. The design and posted speeds for an arterial street would typically be 40-45 mph. Anticipated traffic volumes on the north leg of George Williams Way are projected to be in the 15,000 vpd (vehicles/day) range with projected peak hour volumes of 2,088 vph (vehicles/hours). Staff is recommending that George Williams Way north of 6^th Street be constructed based on the ultimate build-out of the area and final lane configuration.

Based on the traffic study submitted for the year 2025, beginning at the intersection and proceeding north, the following lane configurations are needed:

GWW North of W. 6^th Street

Traffic Lanes	R/W Needed	R/W Acquired/Proposed	Easements Needed
2 northbound through	For street, back of curb to back of curb, 92’ necessary (with 4’ median and curb and gutter, 100’ width) for road. With sidewalk & rec path, including green space, 128’ width.	KDOT acquired 100’ R/W, 300’ N of 6^th St. Recommended R/W on west side 40’ with 20’ permanent easement for all public purposes. 60’ on east side.	At the intersection additional R/W or easements may be necessary for the improvements and utilities.
2 southbound left
2 southbound through
1 southbound right turn lane
7 Lanes - Total

GWW North of 6^th Street at Mercato Way

Traffic Lanes	R/W Needed	R/W Acquired	Easements Needed
2 through lanes in each direction	64’ necessary for road with sidewalk & rec path; including green space, 92’ width.	On west side 40’ with 20’ permanent easement for all public purposes. Oregon Trail has proposed 60’ of R/W on the east side.	No. Sufficient R/W and easement will be provided for all improvements and utilities.
1 center turn lane
5 Lanes – Total

GWW North of 6^th Street at Overland Drive

The study suggests a single-lane roundabout with two lanes in the future. Expansion to a two-lane section in the future could be more significant than the installation of a signal due to limited area available within the roundabout for construction activities. Initially, as a single-lane roundabout, GWW would have to narrow to a single entry lane into the roundabout. Depending on the design, a two-lane roundabout may also need significant alterations to the entering lanes/legs. Benefits of roundabouts include fewer conflict points, aesthetically pleasing, and provide improved pedestrian access.

Another option is to construct a signalized intersection. Initially the intersection could operate as a four-way stop with signals installed at a later date. All underground work could be done at this time so future construction would consist of installation of signal, poles, mast arms and cabinet. A signalized intersection is more conventional and would provide less driver/pedestrian confusion (as compared to a dual lane roundabout). Staff is recommending this option.

GWW North of Overland Drive

Traffic Lanes	R/W Needed	R/W Acquired	Easements Needed
GWW North of Overland Drive with no access (at this time), a two-lane section 31’ back to back should accommodate projected traffic.	31’ necessary for road with sidewalk & rec path, 59’ width.	120’ proposed. Both Mercato and Oregon Trail have proposed 60’ of R/W.	No

Ø Westar holds a 10’ easement located at 40’ west of the section line. Pending design, portions of this line will need to be relocated.

RIGHT OF WAY: The Mercato plat was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on July 24, 2006 with a right of way width of 60 ft. west of the section line. Upon further review of public improvements, location of Westar facilities, and discussions with adjacent owners, staff is satisfied with 40’ of right of way and 20’ permanent easement for public purposes on the west side of GWW north of 6^th Street. Sixty feet (60’) of right of way on the east side of GWW is also recommended. The Oregon Trail plat was also recommended by the Planning Commission on August 23, 2006. The City Commission accepted the right of way of 60 ft. east of the section line on September 5, 2006. Sixty feet (60’) of right of way is necessary from the Graham tract.

The best practice for minimizing taxpayer expense is to obtain the necessary right of way at the time of platting. For example, when 31^st Street and Iowa was improved the City acquired several tracts for right of way or easements. Among those tracts, the City paid $150,000 to Pine Ridge Plaza for right of way and easement.

On the W. 6^th Street project the City and State shared a $4.5 million right of way and easement expense for 35 tracts. The highest amount paid was over $588,000 for a single tract. Some property compensation amounts were as high as $14/sq. ft. for developed/platted property. The City and State spent over $14 million on the improvements to West 6^th Street to improve safety, capacity, and traffic flow. The adjacent properties were compensated for right of way and were not asked to participate in the cost for the improvements. The City has already provided a substantial amount to the improvements needed for the area. To avoid additional taxpayer expense, City Staff recommends that right of way necessary for public improvements be obtained when property is platted, or acquired when a benefit district is formed.

CONTEXT SENSITIVITY: The proposed improvements are significant in magnitude. The intersection of two arterial streets does need to be able to handle the anticipated capacity, otherwise motorists may find other ways around congested areas (e.g., cut through neighborhoods) or become frustrated. Options could include:

§ The recommended improvements are based on 12 ft. wide lanes. The Commission has expressed the desire to reduce lane widths (e.g., 11 ft. lanes on Kasold). At the intersection of GWW and 6^th Street, a 1 ft. reduction in lane width would provide a 7 ft. reduction in the overall width of the pavement, or could be added to the median for pedestrians.

§ Bus turnout lanes and bus stops/shelter could also be provided along GWW.

There may be other designs/options that should be explored/evaluated. When the engineering firm is selected for the design of the improvements, one task will be to include options providing a context sensitive environment. Some examples could include reducing the lane widths and widening medians for pedestrian refuges, landscaping and/or moving sidewalks to the outside edges of right-of-way and providing trees/landscaping between the sidewalk and curb.

Action Requested: Staff requests that the City Commission confirm staff’s recommendations for the road improvement.

§ Staff is not recommending a roundabout at the intersection of GWW and Overland Drive; instead staff is recommending the installation of a traffic signal.

§ Staff is not recommending a boulevard (with landscaped medians) for GWW; instead staff is recommending the lane configurations described above, with notations that some lane widths and other design elements need to be finalized during the engineering design process.

§ Right of way north of 6^th Street on west side of GWW will be 40’ and 20’ permanent easement for all public purposes.

§ Right of way north of 6^th Street on east side of GWW will be 60’.

§ Right of way for GWW from 6^th Street south to Ken Ridge Drive will be 120’ (60’ east and west of section line).

Pursuant to Commission direction, staff will prepare the appropriate resolutions to establish the benefit districts for these improvements.

Please let me know if there are any questions.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachments:

Conceptual Designs

Traffic Volumes