Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Debbie Van Saun

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

David Woosley

Date:

April 20, 2007

RE:

2007 Sidewalk and Traffic Calming Program

 

Program Description: 

The City Commission provided $250,000 in debt financing in the 2007 budget for sidewalk and traffic calming projects.

 

Background Information: 

Sidewalk Plan

It was established at the 2006 City Commission Goal Setting Session that within one year a sidewalk plan would be developed after the following steps were completed:

 

1.

Scheduled a study session to review current policy and policy options.

2.

A City Commission decision on whether to alter current policy and require city participation in repairing sidewalks and completing sidewalk network.

3.

Drafted changes to current policy.

4.

Completed a sidewalk inventory.

5.

Assessed the cost of compliance with any policy changes.

6.

Prioritized and incorporated projects into the operating budget and CIP, as appropriate.

 

·       March 9, 2006 – At a City Commission Study Session, staff presented a Sidewalk Program Maintenance and Connectivity memo (attachment 1).  Commission direction/guidance included that sidewalk maintenance should remain the responsibility of the adjacent property owner as defined by State Statute, and that staff should look for ways to assist property owners with this responsibility.

·       Summer 2006 – Completed sidewalk inventory (attachment 2); (map).

 

Traffic Calming Plan

·       May 5, 2003 – Traffic Safety Commission approval of University Place Traffic Calming Plan

·       June 7, 2003 – City Commission approval of University Place Traffic Calming Plan.

 

Program Details:  

Sidewalks

I.                   As a first priority, staff recommends closing the gaps on major arterial roads.  Attached is a list of those areas with criteria used in the evaluation (attachment 3).  On February 22, 2007 staff met with the Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) to discuss criteria that should be considered to fill in these gaps (missing sidewalks).  Generally, PAC agreed with staff that arterials (highways) should have a high priority for sidewalks.  Second priority would be collector streets with sidewalks missing on both sides, and areas with accidents involving pedestrians.  Additional criteria would include transit stops and pedestrian traffic generators (i.e. grocery stores). 

         

Staff recommends that the 2007 budgeted funds should be spent on sidewalks that meet the above criteria.  The project recommended below would include the construction of a 6’ sidewalk in the identified areas, at an estimated project cost of $150,000.00.

 

       Sections recommended for the 2007 Sidewalk Gap Project are:

6th Street, South Side,  Rockledge  to Schwarz

$62,415

 

Principal arterial

 

 

Sufficient right-of-way

 

 

Pedestrian accidents

 

 

Transit stop

 

9th Street, North Side, Sunset to Iowa

$35,370

 

Collector

 

 

Sufficient right-of way

 

 

Neighborhood to north has no access across 9th Street

 

Trail Road, South Side, Lawrence Avenue to Rockfence  Place

$45,000

 

Collector

 

 

Sufficient right-of-way

 

 

Residential

 

 

Traffic calming request along Trail Road

 

 

Continuous sidewalk would provide pedestrians a safe place to walk

 

         

II.                Staff will implement a Sidewalk Maintenance Compliance Program (attachment 4).  This program will initially focus on sidewalks with a condition rating of critical.  Staff will notify the adjacent property owners of their responsibility.  The city will offer the owner the option of having the city bid the work and charging the costs back to the property. 

 

III.             Other Funding Opportunities:

A.     Typically in August KDOT solicits applications for funding of pedestrian and bicycle facilities.  This funding source is generally 80/20.  Last year the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail project was submitted, which may be a priority project.

B.     The PAC is developing an application to KDOT for “Safe Routes to Schools” program.  This program could assist with repairs and gaps along identified school sidewalk routes.

C.     In December, applications are accepted for the CDBG Program.  Discussions with the Community Development Coordinator indicate that the establishment of a sidewalk program and a specific project, such as construction of gap areas or reconstruction of sidewalks in critical condition in low-moderate income identified areas, would be eligible and probably be well received.  Limitations on the amount of funding available could be $20,000 - $30,000.

 

Traffic Calming

The University Place Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan rates at the top of the project priority rating list (attachment 5); this project has been approved since 2003 (attachment 6).  There are five traffic calming devices proposed for this area.  The neighborhood association has provided staff with their priorities (attachment 7).  Staff recommends the construction of the diverter on 18th Street between Maine and Missouri, and the construction of a raised crosswalk on Louisiana between 18th and 19th.  Staff would provide design in house.  Estimated cost for construction - $100,000.