Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

David P. Cronin, City Engineer

 

Date:

March 4, 2014

 

Re:

 

City Manager's Report Item for March 11

Public Works 2014 Project Open House

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday February 27, the Public Works Department hosted a Public Open House meeting for the 2014 Construction projects at City Hall.  Information regarding the meeting was distributed in a utility bill insert and postcards were sent to area residents as the official public meeting for both the 6th & Iowa project and the Wakarusa Drive project; the originally scheduled Wakarusa Drive meeting was cancelled due to the snow event on February 5th.

 

Project display maps and plans were available at the meeting for the following projects:

  • 23rd & Iowa - Pavement Reconstruction & Geometric Improvements
  • Bob Billings Parkway (Wakarusa to Foxfire) - Pavement Reconstruction
  • 6th & Iowa - Westbound Left Turn Lane and Traffic Signal Improvements
  • 9th & Kentucky - Traffic Signal Improvements
  • 9th & Michigan/Emery - Geometric Improvements and Traffic Signal Improvements
  • Wakarusa Dr. (North of Oread Dr. through Inverness/Legends) - Pavement Reconstruction and Geometric Improvements
  • Vermont Street (2100 block) - Brick Street Reconstruction
  • Maple Street Pump Station (6th & Maple St) - Pump Station and Storm Sewer
  • 2014 Pavement Maintenance Projects

 

The open house was well attended, twenty-three people signed the attendance form, and staff from the Engineering Division was available to answer project related questions.  The majority of questions pertained to 6th & Iowa and Wakarusa Drive project. 

 

6th & Iowa questions centered around the detour and truck traffic while the 6th Street underpass structures are closed for extension and repair.  Northbound Iowa traffic to I-70/KTA will be detoured to East Lawrence interchange and variable message board signs will be placed on turnpike to detour traffic away from 6th & Iowa.  Additionally, Rockledge Road will be signed as a "no truck" route.  A completion date/liquidated damage clause for the box extensions will be added to the contract to ensure an expedient completion of the work.  Plans and specifications are being finalized and the tentative start date of the project is May 19th, the day after KU graduation. 

 

Staff received several questions on the Wakarusa project about roundabout safety for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.  Additional questions were received about construction phasing and right-of-way acquisition; city staff is now beginning the process of right-of-way negotiations.  Plans are about 75% complete and on schedule to solicit bids by May and begin construction in June. 

 

Other 2014 project notes:

  • City staff will be preparing plans soon for the permanent pavement marking of last year's Iowa Street project that will bid with the crosswalk marking project.  Last year, paint was installed for temporary markings on Iowa to last until a cost effective permanent marking project could be bid.
  • 23rd & Iowa Reconstruction Project construction bid opening will be done by KDOT on March 19th.  Construction will begin late April/early May and project has a completion date of November 15, 2014 to be open to unrestricted traffic.
  • We would also like to mention that this year the Public Works Department will be posting their projects, plans and specifications on an electronic plan room through Drexel Technologies. This will be in addition to the usual notice to contractors.