Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Engineering

TO:	David L. Corliss
FROM:	Chuck Soules
Date:	January 7, 2009
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass
RE:	2^nd & Locust Status Report

In the spring of 2009 the City of Lawrence received $2 million in ARRA funding for the reconstruction of 2^nd & Locust.  This award, along with $1 million dollars already dedicated through the Federal Highway Administration/KDOT, provided a $3 million budget.  The project was bid on June 17, 2009 at approximately $2.6 million.  Notice to proceed was issued July 20, 2009. The project includes the reconstruction of the intersection from the Kansas River bridges through the intersection of 2^nd & Locust to the railroad underpass (pavement under the railroad bridge is not included in the project).  Reconstruction of this intersection will provide new pavement, a left-turn lane (north and southbound) at the intersection of 2^nd & Locust, improved alignment and sight distance, stormwater improvements identified in the North Lawrence Drainage Study, and a new 16” water main. 

To maintain traffic the project was bid with two phases.  Phase 1 would complete the east side and when completed would allow one lane of traffic both north and southbound.  Phase 2 would complete the west side.  During Phase 1 a detour around the construction along Elm Street to 3^rd Street to Lincoln Street was established for northbound traffic.

At the beginning of the project the City added an opticom system and stoplight for southbound traffic in order for emergency services to have an alternative route in emergency situations.  Additionally, in the morning and evening, Fire and Medical have a “First Responder Crew” stationed at the SWAN Building (Solid Waste Annex Facility where recycling and container maintenance operations occur) on Industrial Avenue in North Lawrence.

Phase 1 was to be completed late November/December. The contractor, R. D. Johnson, has worked overtime, weekends, and holidays and made substantial progress.  There have been delays, however, due to unknown circumstances and uncooperative weather.  The most significant delay was an unknown structure/pavement and drainage system under 2^nd Street.  KDOT engineers and City staff redesigned that section of pavement and drainage system from Locust Street north to the railroad bridge.

The schedule has been revised because of the extreme winter:

     Phase 1:  Completion end of March/April, 2010. 

                   Traffic open to one lane northbound and southbound

     Phase 2:  Completion end of June/2010.  Road open to unrestricted traffic.

                    Final completion August 2010.

There will be some additional costs of approximately $150,000 to address the base, subgrade and pavement section redesign.  This project is funded 100% by ARRA and KDOT funds up to $3 million.  However, pedestrian lighting is being designed which will have a cost to the City.

I have kept the North Lawrence Improvement Association apprised of the project’s progress.  While everyone is anxious to get this project completed, the North Lawrence Neighborhood Association is very understanding and cooperative. 

Both the City and Contractor are committed to completing this project in a timely manner and will work to improve on the newly projected schedule.

Please let me know if there are any questions.