Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun |
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FROM: |
Chuck Soules |
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CC: |
David Woosley, Dena Mezger |
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Date: |
April 12, 2007 |
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RE: |
Recommended George Williams Way (GWW) Improvements |
GWW South of 6th Street
GWW south of 6th 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, and with dual left-turn lanes at 6th Street. A single lane roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Ken Ridge Drive. The Diamondhead/Northgate preliminary development plan, approved by the City Commission on March 28, 2006, has dedicated adequate right-of-way.
Intersection at GWW and 6TH 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 6th Street, both east and west bound at GWW, should also be constructed.
GWW North of 6th Street
George Williams Way, north of 6th 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. 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 6th 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. 6th Street
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Traffic Lanes |
R/W Needed |
R/W Acquired/Proposed |
Easements Needed |
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2 northboundthrough |
For street, back of curb to back of curb, 92 ft. necessary (with 4 ft. median and curb and gutter, 100 ft. width) for road. With sidewalk & rec path, including green space, 128 ft. width. |
KDOT acquired 100 ft. R-O-W, 300 ft. north of 6th Street. Due to a Westar easement on west side, the recommended R-O-W is 40 ft. with 20 ft. permanent easement for all public purposes. R-O-W on east side – 60 ft. |
At the intersection additional R-O-W or easements may be necessary for the improvements and utilities.
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2 southbound left |
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2 southbound through |
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1 southbound right turn lane |
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7 Lanes - Total |
GWW North of 6th Street at Mercato Way
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Traffic Lanes |
R/W Needed |
R/W Acquired |
Easements Needed |
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2 through lanes in each direction |
64 ft. necessary for road with sidewalk & rec path; including green space, 92 ft. width. |
On west side 40 ft. with 20 ft. permanent easement for all public purposes. Oregon Trail has proposed 60 ft. of R-O-W on the east side. |
No. Sufficient R-O-W and easement will be provided for all improvements and utilities. |
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1 center turn lane |
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5 Lanes – Total |
GWW North of 6th Street at Overland Drive
Initially the intersection will 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.
GWW North of Overland Drive
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Traffic Lanes |
R/W Needed |
R/W Acquired |
Easements Needed |
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GWW north of Overland Drive with no access (at this time), a two-lane section 31ft. back to back should accommodate projected traffic. |
31 ft. necessary for road with sidewalk & rec path, 59 ft. width. |
120 ft. proposed. West side 40 ft. R-O-W, 20 ft. public easement. East side 60 ft. R-O-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 final 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) and preliminary development plan on September 27, 2006. 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 6th 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 February 13, 2007 with the revised plat. Sixty feet (60’) of right of way is necessary from the Graham tract.
On the W. 6th 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 6th 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.
Ø 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.
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 6th 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; staff is recommending the installation of a traffic signal when warranted.
§ Staff is not recommending a boulevard (with landscaped medians) for GWW; 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 6th Street on west side of GWW will be 40’ and 20’ permanent easement for all public purposes.
§ Right of way north of 6th Street on east side of GWW will be 60’.
§ Right of way for GWW from 6th Street south to Ken Ridge Drive will be 120’ (60’ east and west of section line).
§ Construct a roundabout at the intersection of GWW and Ken Ridge Drive.
§ Pending Commission discussion and direction, establish May 15, 2007 for the public hearing to create the benefit district for George Williams Way.
Please let me know if there are any questions.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/je
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