Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

Traffic Engineering Division

 

TO:

Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

FROM:

David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer

CC:

Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer

Date:

1 September 2011

RE:

6 September 2011 City Commission Agenda Item

TRAFFIC CALMING; 17th Street & Illinois Street

 

Background

On August 1, 2011, the Traffic Safety Commission heard a request to remove the TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CALMING CIRCLE at the intersection of 17th Street & Illinois Street.  In 2004, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended and the City Commission approved a traffic calming plan for the University Place Neighborhood.  This culminated several months of data collection and numerous neighborhood meetings.  The neighborhood understood that there wasn’t currently any funding for construction, but requested that the temporary devices remain in place until funding for permanent construction was available.  Temporary devices were in place at 17th & Illinois, 17th & Indiana, 18th & Illinois, 18th & Indiana and on 18th Street between Maine Street & Missouri Street.  Funding did become available for 18th Street and a permanent diverter was constructed between Maine & Missouri and a raised crosswalk was constructed at the intersection of 18th & Louisiana, however, funding has not been available for the remainder of the plan to date.

 

Traffic Safety Commission Action

At the Traffic Safety Commission meeting, several neighbors spoke in support of the request, however, another resident spoke in opposition to the request.  There was a difference of opinion as to whether the temporary device was effective or not.  The majority of the Traffic Safety Commission members felt that the device in question was part of an overall plan for the entire neighborhood and shouldn’t be changed unless the neighborhood conducted a neighborhood-wide evaluation.  A motion to deny the request was approved 7-1.

 

Action Request

It is recommended that the City Commission concur with the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Commission, if appropriate.