Memorandum       

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

Jonathan Douglas

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules

 

CC:

David L. Corliss, Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Dena Mezger, Shoeb Uddin

Date:

March 3, 2008

 

RE:

City Manager’s Report

23rd Street Bridge Replacement

 

In the summer of 2007 the Kansas Department of Transportation informed the city that they were going to begin the development of plans for the replacement of the 23rd Street Bridge.

 

City and county staff were included in preliminary discussions with KDOT in the development of the scope of services with the selected consultant HNTB.  The project includes the replacement of the bridge and limited pavement to tie new elevations into the street.  This project has only been approved for design.  There are no identified funds for construction; however, should a new Transportation Bill be approved this project could be potentially ready in 2010/2011.

 

Several meetings with the consultant have been completed identifying issues and process.  On February 26, 2008 adjacent owners, including Haskell University, were invited to a listening workshop to collect input.  Surveys have also been completed.

 

Briefly, some of the issues/ideas include:

§         The bridge height can be lowered as there is no longer a need for the railroad.

§         Is there a vehicle/truck need for the underpass?

§         How is the perimeter road used and how would it affect traffic patterns at Haskell University, if at all. 

§         Pedestrian connections/sidewalks.

§         Gateway to community.

§         Access for Douglas County Public Works; can County get access to Haskell?

§         Traffic control and detours.

§         Street section, turn lane, median.

 

Should the Commission have any specific thoughts, please let me know.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je