Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

CC:

Shoeb Uddin, David Woosley, Cynthia Boecker , Diane Stoddard

Date:

May 1, 2008

RE:

Federal-Aid Safety Program

 

Background:  The Kansas Department of Transportation is soliciting candidate projects for the Federal-Aid Safety Program for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (see attached letter).  Federal funds are prorated on a 90/10 federal/local split, although there is a cap on the federal portion.  The City of Lawrence has received a substantial amount of funding through this program during past years.  The deadline for submitting this information is June 13, 2008.  Project funding is for State Fiscal Years of 2010/2011.

After reviewing high crash locations for the period 2005-2007, staff would recommend the following locations, and possible solutions, for consideration and submittal:

1.      6th Street between Hy-Vee & Folks Road (26 crashes).  Possible solution:  Widen 6th Street to provide a center two-way-left-turn-lane.  Approximate 24-hour traffic volume – 19,000.  Total estimated preliminary project cost:  $750,000.

2.      9th Street at Avalon Road (21 crashes).  Possible solution:  Widen 9th Street to provide a short two-way-left-turn-lane and reconstruct the north leg of the intersection as far east as possible.  Approximate 24-hour traffic volume – 17,000.  Total estimated preliminary project cost:  $400,000.

Additional high accident locations include:

1.      23rd Street just east of Haskell Avenue (53 crashes; 32 in 2007).  Possible solution:  Construct a raised median from Haskell Avenue east past the problem driveway.  Approximate 24-hour traffic volume – 31,000.  Total estimated preliminary project cost:  $70,000.

2.      Iowa Street between Orchard Lane & University Avenue (53 crashes; 17 in 2007).  Possible solution:  Widen Iowa Street to provide a center two-way-left-turn-lane.  Approximate 24-hour traffic volume – 29,000.  Total estimated preliminary project cost:  $750,000.

3.      Wakarusa Drive just south of 6th Street (15 crashes).  Possible solution:  Construct a raised median that will permit inbound left-turns and allow outbound right-turns only.  Approximate 24-hour traffic volume – 12,000.  Total estimated preliminary project cost:  $35,000.

 

Possible solutions to these locations potentially involve access and neighborhood issues which have not been thoroughly examined and will need additional public input.

 

Action Request:  Approve submittal of Federal-Aid Safety Program applications for 6th Street between   Hy-Vee and Folks Road, and 9th Street at Avalon Road

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works