Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works Department
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TO: |
David Cronin, City Engineer |
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FROM: |
David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer |
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DATE: |
17 May 2016 |
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RE: |
Traffic Calming Priorities for 2016 |
Background
In 2004, the Public Works Department began keeping a list of approved traffic calming projects and ranked them in accordance with the City’s Traffic Calming Project Priority Ranking System policy. Some projects have been completed when other maintenance work has been performed or when special funding has been designated by the City Commission; however, there are currently 22 projects on the approved list, which is attached.
Details
The City’s 2016 Capital Improvements Program budget includes $200,000 for traffic calming.
It is recommended that the following projects be programmed for construction this year:
|
Priority Ranking |
PROJECT LOCATION |
POSSIBLE TYPES OF TRAFFIC CALMING |
ESTIMATED COST |
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#1 |
University Place (neighborhood) |
Traffic Calming Circles |
$100,000 |
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#5 |
Ousdahl Road 25th St. to 26th St. |
Speed Humps |
$24,000 |
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#7 |
13th Street Connecticut St. to Haskell Ave. |
Speed Humps, Partial Diverters (this location has been recommended as a Bike Boulevard) |
$32,000 |
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#8 |
Trail Road Kasold Dr. to Lawrence Ave. |
Speed Cushions, possibly a Traffic Calming Circle |
$83,000 |
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#10 |
Trail Road Eldridge St. to Folks Rd. |
Speed Cushions, possibly a Traffic Calming Circle |
$66,000 |
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|
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Total = |
$230,000 |
It is recommended that the following projects on the attached list be passed-over this year for the following reasons:
#2 – Crescent Road traffic calming is planned for 2017 with maintenance of the street.
#3 – Substantial funds were expended on this roadway in 2015, including a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, a raised crosswalk, closing of sidewalk gaps, and installation of additional stop signs; after completion, an updated evaluation of the project resulted in it changing from #1 to the current #3; in addition, a neighborhood meeting will be held in the future to assess the results.
Attached are traffic counts from 2012 before 31st Street construction, May 2015 while 31st was under construction and most recently March 2016 after 31st Street was reopened. Traffic volumes today (2016) are comparable to the traffic counts taken in 2012.
#4 – This project is scheduled to be constructed by USD497 during Summer 2016.
#6 – This project is in the same area as #4 above; staff will re-evaluate after #4 is constructed.
#9 – All of the area residents in support of this project, including the individual that submitted the request, have moved from the area.
Once a list is approved for construction in 2016, staff will contact each neighborhood to determine if they still want to pursue traffic calming, what types of devices they want to see constructed, and what locations the adjacent property owners will approve. Therefore, even though the total estimated cost exceeds the amount of funding available, the actual cost for each project may vary significantly; there may not be enough funding to construct all of these projects this year; or, additional projects may be able to be funded.
Action Request
It is recommended that the City Commission concur with this list so that staff can begin consultation with the neighborhoods; and, so design and construction can take place this construction season.