Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

FROM:

Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works

CC:

Casey Toomay, David Cronin

DATE:

October 14, 2015

RE:

Joint City/County letter to KDOT on expansion of western leg of K-10

 

The South Lawrence Trafficway (K-10 from Noria Road to Iowa Street a/k/a US-59) is scheduled to open in late 2016.  This long needed “missing link” will be a four (4) lane highway with a posted speed of 70 mph.  The current K-10 highway is a two (2) lane facility from Iowa (Hwy-59) to I-70 with a posted speed of 65 mph.  There are several areas of concern for safety necessitating the expansion to four (4) lanes. 

 

At the City Commission Meeting on September 1, 2015, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) presented preliminary information on the expansion of the west leg of K-10 from 2 lanes to 4 lanes.

 

Briefly in a nutshell, there are four (4) main issues that the City/County needs to provide KDOT with the communities input:  (see attached fact sheet)

 

  1.  Kasold Drive / E 1200 Road is currently an at-grade two-way STOP-controlled intersection.  The City and County support the closure of this intersection as proposed due to future safety concerns.

 

  1. Wakarusa / K-10 intersection is currently a signalized at-grade intersection.  This intersection is heavily used to access YSC, softball fields, and other recreational facilities.  Although signalized, this is a very unsafe intersection with motorists on K-10 traveling 65 mph and side road traffic crossing from a stopped condition.  Many pedestrians and cyclists also use this intersection.  The City and County agree with the proposed interchange to the east of the existing at-grade intersection and that K-10 should fly over Wakarusa.  This would provide a safer and more efficient route for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

 

  1. The interchange at Clinton Parkway and K-10 is an important access for the community and Clinton Lake.  Closure of this interchange is not agreeable to the City and County.  If closed, traffic would be forced to use other local streets that have not been designed for the additional traffic.  The additional traffic would also disrupt the livability of those neighborhoods.  Additionally, the State is looking into the feasibility of a development at Clinton Lake and this interchange may be necessary for any such development.

 

  1. The City and County agree that a system to system interchange with K-10 and I-70 is more efficient and safer than the current configuration.  Access to N 1800 Road / Route 438 (a.k.a. Farmers Turnpike) from K-10 in a toll-free fashion is important to Lawrence and Douglas County and should be maintained. 

 

The City and County forecast a future need for the proposed Lecompton interchange and support planning for this at this time.

 

The County has reviewed and is in agreement with these points.

 

KDOT will hold a public meeting on October 29, 2015, at Southwest Middle School, 2511 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (KDOT public notice attached), to present their preferred alternatives.  KDOT plans to begin preliminary design of the west leg of K-10 in January 2016.

 

Action

Authorize the Mayor to sign the joint City/County correspondence with respect to the expansion of the western leg of K-10.