Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	Charles Soules, Director of Public Works
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer
CC:	Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer
Date:	4 June 2008
RE:	May 5, 2008 Traffic Safety Commission Item #4 700 Block New Hampshire; Mid-Block Crossing

Background:

On May 5, 2008, the Traffic Safety Commission heard a request to establish a MID-BLOCK MARKED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING on New Hampshire Street between 7^th Street & 8^th Street. The item was referred to the TSC after a downtown business owner appeared at a city commission meeting requesting a crossing.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices does not provide warrants for mid-block crosswalks. No one from the public spoke to this item.

There are city parking facilities on both sides of New Hampshire Street at this location and there is a mid-block pedestrian arcade leading from Massachusetts Street to this area. No pedestrian counts have been obtained, but there is substantial pedestrian traffic at this location, particularly during evening hours and weekends. New Hampshire carries approximately 8000-10,000 vehicles per day in this area. There are similar mid-block crossings in the 600 block, 800 block and 900 block of New Hampshire Street.

A limited survey in the area found that a mid-block crossing can be constructed, but in order to meet ADA criteria and provide appropriate drainage, nine on-street parking spaces will have to be removed.

The TSC voted 4-4 on a motion to recommend approval. The estimated construction cost is $10,000-$15,000 which is not currently budgeted.