Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Debbie Van Saun

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

Dena Mezger, Shoeb Uddin, David Woosley

Date:

July 24, 2007

RE:

25th Terrace Construction Project Update

 

Project Description/Details:  This project includes the construction of 25th Terrace from O’Connell Road to Franklin Road.  The street will be 36 ft. from the back of curb to back of curb and will include bike lanes, stormwater improvements, sidewalks on both sides and trees between the curb and sidewalk.  A 12 inch water main will also be constructed.   

The intersection of 25th Terrace and O’Connell Road will include a single lane roundabout similar to the existing roundabout at 28th Street.  The traffic study for Fairfield Farms provides traffic volumes such that a signal or roundabout was necessary.  A roundabout was selected due to efficiency of traffic flow, safety, capacity, and consistency along O’Connell.  Costs also were evaluated and providing the geometrics for additional turn lanes needed for a signal and installation of signal, a roundabout would be of similar cost.  A signal also requires ongoing maintenance.

Project History:       May 2, 2006           Final plat approved by City Commission

                               February 20, 2007   Ordinance 8062 annexing Queens property                               March 2, 2007          Received petition for improvements

                               March 8, 2007         Resolution 6708 direction improvements                     

                                                                approved by City Commission

                               May 8, 2007          Approved engineering contract with

                                                                Bartlett and West Engineers, Inc.

 

Status:  Plans are 65% complete with the project to bid in September.  Plans have been sent to KDOT for review.  This is not a state funded project; however, KDOT offers a review of projects that include roundabouts to ensure appropriate design.  The city has used this service since it was first offered.

 

On July 18, staff held a public meeting at Prairie Park Elementary School.  Almost one thousand notices were sent to the neighborhood; approximately twenty people attended the meeting.

 

Three projects will be completed in this area over the next year, including construction of a left-turn lane on the south leg of Harper at 23rd Street, construction of a right and left-turn lane on K-10 at O’Connell, the construction of the roundabout at 25th and O’Connell, and the preliminary design of 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.

 

 

 

 

Several questions were asked, including:

§         Who is paying for these improvements?

§         What is planned for the remainder of the area between Franklin and O’Connell Road, north of 1300 RD (31st Street) – Section 9?

§         Why doesn’t the city complete the SLT and/or 31st Street?

§         What types of businesses will be in the commercial area north of 25th Terrace?

 

There were several questions about the roundabout at 25th Street but staff’s responses seemed to satisfy most of the residents; several people did not want to have a roundabout constructed.  Overall, the meeting went well.  Staff did provide contact information on the notice and only received a couple questions regarding the project.

 

Project Funding:  This project is being funded 100% by the benefit district and 0% by the city at large (Resolution No. 6708).

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je