Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:

David L. Corliss, Craig Weinaug

FROM:

Chuck Soules

Date:

November 5, 2008

CC:

Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Jonathan Douglas, Keith Browning, Shoeb Uddin, Ric Johnson, Mike Novak

RE:

31st Street – Haskell Avenue to Route 1057 (E 1900 Rd)

KDOT Project No. 23 U-2117-01 – City Project No. 18-CP7-507(S)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please include the following information for the City/County Commission Study Session on November 10, 2008:

 

Project History. 

·         6/15/06 – City submitted a Request for Construction Project to initiate the project

·         4/24/07 – City Commission approved consultant selection process

·         8/23/07 – City Commission approves consultant selection of Wilson & Company, Inc.

·         11/1/07 – Study Session with City Commission; Wilson & Co. 8/30/07 improvements memo

·         2/12/08 – Approved Scope of Services with Wilson & Co.

·         3/24/08 – Briefing of Board of County Commission

·         4/7/08 – Formal letter from Board of County Commissioners to City Commission to expand scope of project to Route 1057

·         5/29/08 – Met with City and County staff to discuss project

·         6/13/08 – Steering Committee Meeting

·         7/11/08 – Steering Committee Meeting

·         7/25/08 – Met with O’Connell Youth Ranch Board of Representatives

·         9/29/08 – Public meeting at Fairgrounds

·         10/20/08 - Met with KDOT/FHWA regarding environmental process and project responsibilities

·         10/31/08 – Steering Committee Meeting

·         11/10/08 – City/County Commission Study Session

 

A Steering Committee was established consisting of the following members:

Prairie Park Neighborhood

Paul Phelps

Save The Wakarusa Wetlands

Michael Caron

Haskell University Representative

Vacant

Bicycle Advisory Committee

Eric Struckoff

Representatives for businesses at 31st & Haskell

Steve Glass

Representative for residents east of O’Connell along N. 1300 Rd. (31st Street)

Karen Heeb

Planning Commission

Brad Finkeldei

City Commission

Sue Hack

County Commission

Bob Johnson

Context Sensitive Knowledge

Tom Mulinazzi

Chamber of Commerce/Realtor

Beth Johnson

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)

Corky Armstrong

 

 

 

 

City and County staff participating in the Steering Committee Meeting: 

Keith Browning

Douglas County Public Works Director

Charles F. Soules

Director of Public Works, City of Lawrence

Scott McCullough

Director of Planning

Todd Girdler

Transportation Planner

Shoeb Uddin

City Engineer

Mark Hecker

Parks & Recreation

Shelley Schupp

Department of Utilities

 

A web site was established at  http://www.lawrenceks.org/public_works/31st .  The Steering Committee meeting minutes and alignment options are posted.  A survey was developed, posted and distributed at the September 29th public meeting.  The survey summary is attached.  An email notification list was established for those interested in receiving notification of relevant meetings.

 

Steering Committee Recommendations/Findings:

·         A curvilinear alignment was preferred versus a straight through street to help control speed,

·         Haskell to O’Connell section should bend south following contour of landscape,

·         East of O’Connell the new alignment should be north of existing 31st Street to E 1700 Road.  The existing 31st Street (N 1300 Rd.) would remain as a frontage road for the adjacent residents,

·         Design speed of 45 mph (typical sections attached),

·         From Haskell Avenue east to the end of the existing commercial/industrial area 3-4 lanes with curb and gutter, storm sewer, and sidewalks on both sides,

·         Continuing east initially two 11’ lanes with shoulder and median, multi-use path on north side ties into Prairie Park, open ditches/bio-swales for natural drainage, expandable to four lanes, right-of-way of 150’ necessary,

·         From 1700 Road (O’Connell) to Noria Road similar section with 12’ lanes, right-of-way of 150’ necessary,

·         Noria Road to 1057 – undivided two lane facility.  Right-of-way of 120’ necessary.

 

Other Considerations:

·         Connectivity to Prairie Park/Mary’s Lake and Prairie Park neighborhood,

·         Intersection at Haskell Avenue – a signal will be necessary,

·         Intersection at O’Connell – a signal/roundabout should be reviewed,

·         Excess land south of Mary’s Lake – additional State/Federal funding should be explored for acquisition of park land.

 

Next Steps:

·         11/10/08 – City/County study session,

·         End of 2008 – development of concept and a concept plan/estimate,

·         Beginning of 2009 – review by Steering Committee,

·         Beginning of 2009 – public meeting,

·         Spring 2009 – present final report to Commissions,

·         Summer 2009 – direction on right-of-way acquisition; construction funding.

 

Attachments:  Committee Minutes: 6/13/08, 7/11/08, 10/31/08

                   Survey Summary

                   Preferred Alignment Layout #1 and #2

                   Typical Section #1 and #2