Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer
CC:	Chuck Soules, Mark Thiel, Eric Struckoff, Bart Rudolph, Todd Girdler
Date:	June 30, 2009
RE:	Project No. PW0906 Bike Lanes along West 9^th Street (Tennessee to Indiana) July 07, 2009 City Commission Meeting Agenda item

Project Description

This project includes mill and overlay of existing asphalt pavement surfacing, removal and replacement of curb and gutter, pavement patching where needed and pavement marking, along West 9^th street from Tennessee to Iowa. As part of this project, a left turn lane for the east bound traffic will also be added at the intersection of 9^th and Avalon.

Project History

This project is part of the 2009 Street Maintenance Program that was approved by the City Commission on January 27, 2009.

On January 20, 2009, Street Maintenance Map for 2009 was presented to the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) for their review and comments. Feasibility of bike lanes along West 9^th Street (from Tennessee to Iowa) was specifically discussed at the meeting. It appears that striping of bike lanes is not feasible without removing parking at least on one side of the street or widening the street. It is important to note that widening of West 9^th Street would significantly increase the cost and change the scope of the Mill and Overlay project and is, therefore, not a feasible option.

On June 02, 2009, the City Commission awarded the West 9^th Street Mill and Overlay project to RD Johnson Excavating, Inc., discussed bike lane issue along West 9^th street (between Tennessee and Mississippi) and “directed staff to come up with possible bicycle lane striping options in conjunction with the Bicycle Advisory Committee for presentation at the July Traffic Safety Commission meeting”.

On June 16, 2009, the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) (during their regular monthly meeting for June, 2009) discussed bike lane striping options along West 9^th Street (from Tennessee to Indiana). BAC recommended 3 possible options (in order of preference) for consideration by the Traffic Safety Commission. (See attached Draft minutes of the BAC)

Option No. 1

Provide a 5 feet bike lane on the south side, an 11 feet lane, a 10.50 feet lane, a 10.5 feet lane, an 11 feet lane and 12 feet for parking and bike lane on north side. In this option, bike lanes on both sides meet minimum AASHTO criteria, although 13 feet is recommended for a combination of parking and bike lane if there is a high turnover of parking. Although relatively narrower, the two through lanes (each 10.50 feet wide) at the center of the road do meet minimum AASHTO criteria. (See Lane configuration in BAC minutes)

Option No. 2

Provide a 5 feet bike lane on the south side, 4 lanes (each 11 feet wide) and 11 feet for parking and bike lane on the north side. The only issue with this option is that 11 feet for parking and bike lane does not meet the minimum AASHTO criteria and may not be safe for bicyclists; therefore, staff cannot recommend this option. (See Lane configuration in BAC minutes)

Option No. 3

Provide a 15 feet “sharrow” lane on the south side, 2 travel lanes each 11 feet wide, a 15 feet “sharrow” lane and 8 feet for parking on the north side. “Sharrow” lanes are wide lanes with symbols of bicyclists marked on the pavement and are intended to be shared by bicyclists and automobiles. Currently, there are no minimum AASHTO criteria or standards for this layout. (See Lane configuration in BAC minutes)

All three lane configuration options, intended for the two blocks between Ohio and Indiana, would require removal of parking on the south side of West 9^th Street, from Ohio to Indiana; parking will remain in place on the north side along this stretch.

BAC has also requested removal of parking on the north side from Tennessee to Ohio (on the south side, parking is currently prohibited along the east half of the block, from Tennessee west to the alley). Removal of parking on the north side along this block will make room for a 5 feet bike lane on the north side. There will be no room for bike lane on the south side along this block due to the existing right turn lane for east-bound traffic.

Attached are the map (outlining the extent of the proposed parking removal) and a copy of the letter, sent to property owners and residents.

We have received a letter (attached herewith) from Mr. Rex Nicolay, owner of the property at 615 West 9^th Street, expressing objection to the removal of parking on the south side.

BAC members will meet again at 6:30 pm on July 06, 2009 to further discuss these options prior to attending the Traffic Safety Commission meeting to be held at 7:00 pm the same day. At the TSC meeting, BAC members will present their recommendation to the TSC.

On July 07, 2009 the City Commission will consider recommendations from BAC and TSC and will provide direction to staff as to the bike lane striping option.

Project Status

This project, consisting of 3 phases, started at the west end at Iowa. The first phase, from Iowa to Emery, is substantially complete, with some work still left to do at the intersection of 9^th and Avalon. The next phase of the project would extend from Emery to Mississippi; construction crew is currently doing curb repair and miscellaneous other work along this stretch. The final phase of the project would extend from Mississippi to Tennessee. With directions from the City Commission on July 07, 2009 regarding bike lanes along West 9^th Street (from Tennessee to Indiana), staff will coordinate this work with the contractor; expected substantial completion date for this project is August 07, 2009.

Action Request

Pending consideration of recommendations from the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Traffic Safety Commission, provide direction to staff regarding bike lanes along West 9^th Street (from Tennessee to Indiana).

Attachments: Minutes of Bicycle Advisory Committee (Draft)

Proposed Parking Removal Map

Rex Nicolay Letter