Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	Mike Wildgen
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, Roger Coffey, Chris Stewart
Date:	September 23, 2004
RE:	Project No. 15-CP4-404(C) Kasold Drive, Bob Billings Parkway to Clinton Parkway Street, Storm Sewer Improvements

Project Analysis.  In May 2004 the City hired Bartlett and West Engineers to provide surveying and engineering services for the preliminary design and study for the reconstruction of Kasold Drive from Bob Billings Parkway to Clinton Parkway.  Attached is the preliminary study report evaluating several options.  As we began looking at this project we identified several challenges, including:

• Landscaping – adjacent residential properties have substantial landscaping for screening from the arterial street.
• Utilities – Westar has a substantial transmission and distribution network along Kasold.  The City Utilities Department has two water lines, a 12” throughout the entire project and a 6” in the southern half of the project.  Both lines are under the existing street and median and are approximately 40 years old.  Due to the age and location of the existing lines and their susceptibility to failure during/after reconstruction of Kasold, these lines need to be replaced and relocated if Kasold is reconstructed.
• Site distances are poor throughout the project limits, and adjacent properties are at a substantially different grade.  Changes to the vertical alignment could increase sight distance and safety; however, extensive landscaping and retaining walls to adjacent properties increase costs substantially.
• Right-of-way is tight throughout the project.  None of the options require right-of-way acquisition.  Pedestrian and/or utility easements may be necessary in certain locations.
• To provide pedestrian/bicycle facilities along with an adequate number of lanes uses all of the right-of-way available.
• Safety – over the last 3 years 38 accidents occurred at Kasold and Clinton Parkway; of these, 26 were left turning vehicles.
• Construction sequencing – beginning and completing this project in 2005 will be problematic.  A recurring issue that staff has discussed with contractors is that relocating utilities is a primary source of delays on construction projects.  In a recent meeting with several contractors we discussed construction schedules and incentives.  The contractors expressed:

o they are in business to complete construction projects, thus project delays negatively affect them;

o the real issue to maintaining a construction schedule is having utilities out of the way;

o incentives are nice but if the contractor could proceed without utility conflicts, then projects would be completed on time. 

A 2005 construction schedule will only be successful if the utilities are relocated in advance.  Until we have a final set of plans we cannot get a commitment from the utility companies.  The City Commission and staff need to discuss construction sequencing and may need to consider a 2006 construction schedule.

• Scioto Drive has a very severe grade (17%), poor visibility, and low usage (peak hour count of 4 vehicles).

• Costs – estimated construction costs are higher than originally anticipated.  Additional costs for utility adjustments, easements, and replacing the waterline have increased the total project cost, regardless of the option chosen.
• Concrete versus asphalt – one of the questions to be addressed with this report was which pavement material (concrete or asphalt) would provide the best service.  The pavement sections were designed to be structurally equivalent (10” concrete or 12” asphalt), and provide a service life of 30 years.  Both pavement sections are on a stabilized and drainable base.  The issue then becomes one of initial cost and maintenance.  Even when a maintenance treatment of mill and overlay every 10 years is applied to the asphalt section, the present worth cost of the flexible pavement is slightly less (15%). 

Project Options.  A brief discussion of the various options follows.  Note - all the asphalt options provided in the study include concrete sections at the intersections of minor streets, and from Augusta Street south to Clinton Parkway and Seminole to 15^th Street. These areas typically have problems with rutting and shoving due to the stopping, starting, and turning movements.  This composite pavement system (concrete intersection with asphalt pavement between intersections) achieves economy, serviceability and longevity.

Option 1 – This option includes removal and replacement of the existing pavement only.  Option 1 does not include left turn lanes, grade improvements, or pedestrian/bicycle facilities.  This option is the cheapest but does not provide for future traffic volumes or pedestrian improvements.  (Total project cost including waterline replacement:  Concrete Pavement - $4,497,417; Asphaltic Pavement - $4,267,201)

Option 2 – This option includes dual left turn lanes from Kasold south onto Clinton Parkway east, a reduction in the grade of the hill north of Augusta to 10%, a center (left) turn lane from Augusta to West 22^nd Street and from Tam O’Shanter to 15^th Street (Bob Billings Parkway) –(a visual representation of the proposed lane configuration is provided in the preliminary design section, Figure B, following page 13 of the report) – and a 10’ recreation path on the west side.  This option improves safety with sight distances, left turn lanes at minor street intersections, capacity needs are met at Clinton Parkway, and pedestrian/bicycle goals are met.  (Total project cost including waterline replacement: Concrete Pavement - $5,765,561; Asphaltic Pavement - $5,480,159)

Option 3 – This option was intended to look at reconstructing the road to meet present design guidelines.  The largest issue is the grade of the hill north of Augusta Drive.  If the road were being constructed without adjacent existing improvements, the maximum recommended grade by AASHTO would be 8%.  This option, however, would involve significant cuts in grade and the construction of a 13’ retaining wall on the west side and a 7.5’ retaining wall on the east side.  The construction of these retaining walls would not only be costly but would also obstruct sight lines for adjacent homes on the east side of Kasold.  To reduce the height of the wall on the east side would entail removal of the landscape berms and relocation of the Westar facilities.  Therefore, this option is not preferred. (Total project cost including waterline replacement: Concrete Pavement - $6,163,872; Asphaltic Pavement - $5,878,470)

Option 4 – This option is a reduced version of Option 2.  The project limits for Option 4 is from West 22^nd Street north to 15^th Street.  The improvements from West 22^nd Street to Clinton Parkway are not included.  A rec path is constructed within the project limits and ties into a currently existing walk from West 22^nd Street south so a continuous pedestrian facility is provided.  The pavement at the intersection is in fair condition from a rideability perspective but poor from a structural perspective.  The pavement is significantly rutted and shoved at the intersections.  Curb and gutter is deteriorating in several areas.  Significant maintenance will be needed on this section of pavement in the next few years.  Additionally, the capacity of this north leg of the Kasold/Clinton Parkway intersection will need to be improved/increased to meet future traffic volumes.  This option was explored to provide a lower initial cost option for this project; however, within the next several years (5-7) these deferred improvements will need to be addressed. (Total project cost including waterline replacement: Concrete Pavement - $4,592,191; Asphaltic Pavement - $4,511,627)

Recommendations and Project Plan. 

o Our plan would include, as early as possible, bidding the waterline and road project together so one contractor would be responsible.  The City would need to provide the other utilities with final plans and stake the project so they would be able to relocate their facilities accurately.  If we can provide the contractor a clear site to work I would recommend a calendar day (specific date) contract for completion.  Then, the contractor could provide an appropriate bid by determining if sufficient time is available for a single crew or if overtime would be necessary.

o It is recommended that Scioto Drive be closed to access onto Kasold.  Both the Police Department and Fire Department have concurred with this recommendation.  Staff is not aware of any neighborhood objection.

o Option 2 (asphalt) is staff’s recommended option based on a review of project approach, costs, and ability to meet safety, capacity, and pedestrian/bicycle goals.

Additional Project Information.  On August 23, 2004 the project team met with adjacent property owners to provide them with information with respect to the project.  A web site (www.lawrencepublicworks.org/annc-kasold.shtml) linked from the Public Works home page was established to provide contact information and answer questions.

The recommendation section of the report summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each option and provides a decision matrix evaluating safety, pedestrian access, aesthetics, route continuity, long-term maintenance, and right-of-way and intersection options.  Costs are also listed for each option.

To provide the City Commission with the impact of the project, the Finance Department has provided a debt service and tax levy report (attached) for the recommended Option 2, asphalt.  The reports assume an increase in assessed valuation of 6% per year and ranges from a mill levy increase of approximately 0.61 in the first year to an increase of 0.36 in the twelfth year.  Additionally, the estimated mill levy range for all options is provided in the cost matrix (attached).  Note – project costs associated with the water line relocation will be funded from the Water and Sewer fund.

A notice was sent to affected/ abutting property owners informing them of the availability of the study at the library and on the PW web site. The letter also provided notice of the Commission Study Session.

Please feel free to call if you have any questions.

Attachments

Debt Service and Tax Levy Report – Kasold Drive, Option 2 (Asphalt)

Kasold Drive Alternative Analysis Matrix

Kasold Drive Preliminary Study report from Bartlett & West Engineers 

www.lawrencepublicworks.org/annc-kasold.shtml

Letter to Neighborhood