Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Department of Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager |
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FROM: |
Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer |
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CC: |
Chuck Soules, David Woosley, Mark Thiel |
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DATE: |
April 10, 2012 |
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RE: |
April 17, 2012 City Commission Agenda Item Application for FY 2015 Geometric Improvement Funding (KDOT)
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Background
In 2010, the Kansas State Legislature passed T-WORKS, a comprehensive transportation program with a budget of $8 billion over 10 years. Under T-WORKS, the Geometric Improvement (GI) program allocates $6.0 million dollars annually throughout the state to address geometric deficiencies such as turn lanes on the City connecting links of the State Highway System ((6th Street/US 40, Iowa/US 59, North 2nd/ US 40/US 59, and 23rd Street/K-10 in Lawrence). The primary objective of this program is to improve roadway capacity/traffic flow and safety along the city connecting links of the State Highway system.
The GI program is very competitive and award decisions are made based on factors such as traffic impacts, system preservation impacts, safety and local match/contribution. This is based on 80/20 cost sharing – 80% maximum state funding and 20% minimum city match. For cities with population between 50,000 and 99,999 (Lawrence population: 90,000), the state participation would be capped at $900,000.00. Cost of Engineering Design, Construction Plans and Construction engineering / inspection, right of way and utilities are considered eligible project costs.
In 2011, the City of Lawrence received $500,000 (from FY 2014 GI program) for improvements at the intersection of 23rd and Iowa streets.
Project Selection
Staff has preliminarily evaluated 6 potential projects for FY 2015 GI Application at the following locations – US 40 (between K-10 and entrance to the future Recreational Center), 23rd and O’Connell, 6th and Michigan, 25th and Iowa, 19th and Iowa and 23rd and Iowa.
Of the 6 potential projects, staff has short-listed the following 3 projects as potential candidate for this program.
The projects at 6th and Michigan, 25th and Iowa and 19th and Iowa are relatively smaller in scope and cost and therefore, are not ideal candidates for the GI program.
US 40/West 6th, between K-10 and Entrance to the Future Recreational Center
The Area Transportation Plan (for US 40 from K-10 to E 800 Road), a joint effort among Kansas Department of Transportation, City of Lawrence, Douglas County and Lawrence-Douglas County MPO, has recently been completed. Reconstruction of US 40 (west of K 10) as a 4-lane, median divided urban arterial was recommended as a long-term improvement along this corridor.
Currently, US 40 highway is a 4 lane road for about 500 feet west of K-10, then it narrows down to a 2-lane rural section. The entrance to the proposed Recreational Center will likely be located approximately ¼ mile west of K-10 and will be aligned with the entrance to the church on the south side. In order to safely accommodate the additional traffic generated by the Recreational Center, some of the recommendations for long term improvement as outlined in the Area Transportation Plan will need to be completed before the opening of the Recreational Center. The improvements would include widening US 40 (from K-10 to the entrance to the Recreational Center) to 4 lane urban section and flattening the existing vertical grade to increase visibility. The improvements would also include providing turn lanes at the intersection of US 40 and the future entrance drives (to the Recreational Center and the church, see Exhibit) at all four quadrants.
Total estimated cost of this project is $2.5 million. With $900,000 from GI funding, the city will have to contribute $1.6 million to complete this project.
Reconstruction/improvement of US 40, west of the Recreational Center entrance will have to be completed in phases as the area continues to develop in the future.
23rd and Iowa
This is the busiest intersection in Lawrence with about 60,000 vehicles per day. The proposed geometric improvements would include dual left turn lanes for east and west bound and reconfiguration of the free flow right turn lanes for west and north bound. In addition to reducing the queue lengths of the left turning traffic, the proposed dual left turn lanes will also improve through and right turning movements, especially during the morning and afternoon peak hours. The reconfiguration of the right turn lane would reduce the number of accidents involving merging and weaving movements at the north and east legs of the intersection. The reconfiguration plan will also improve pedestrian safety and movements at this location.
The total project cost is $2 million. In 2011, the city of Lawrence received $700,000 from KDOT ($500,000 from FY 2014 Geometric Improvement funding and $200,000 from Federal aid safety funds) for this project. The balance of the project cost of $1.3 million will have to be financed with city funds, unless we can obtain additional funding from other sources.
23rd and O’Connell
This project consists of installing traffic signal and providing a dedicated left turn lane for eastbound traffic. These improvements are part of the Farmland Master Plan and are necessary to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the development of the Farmland property.
KDOT appears to be reluctant to commit state funding for improvements on 23rd street as it is all but certain that 23rd street will be turned back to the city following the completion of K-10/SLT. As a result, the likelihood of 23rd and O’Connell project being selected for the GI funding this year is largely diminished. However, this project may be very competitive for economic development funding.
The total estimated cost of this project is $750,000.
Staff Recommendation
We have discussed all of these potential projects with KDOT to identify the most competitive project in Lawrence for the GI program this year. Based on feedback from KDOT, FY 2015 GI funding for 23rd and O’Connell project seems unlikely due to the impending turning back of 23rd street to the city.
Although partially funded by KDOT last year, 23rd and Iowa project would be eligible for additional state funding from FY 2015 GI program. However, this project would not be a higher priority for KDOT this year simply because this project already received KDOT funding last year.
Of the 3 projects short-listed for this program, US 40/West 6th, west of K-10 appears to be the most eligible. Reconstruction of US 40 to 4 lane urban section along with traffic signal and turn lanes at the entrance drives is essential to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the Recreational Center. KDOT is very supportive of these improvements on US 40 to ensure traffic flow and safety along this corridor. In addition, the positive economic impact of the Recreational Center in the local/regional economy is widely recognized by engineers and decision makers at KDOT. We strongly believe that this project will fare very well in the competitive selection process.
Staff recommends US 40/West 6th, West of K-10 for FY 2015 Geometric Improvement Funding Application.
Project Cost / Funding
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US 40, K-10 to Recreational Center |
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Estimated Total Project Cost (Engineering Design, Construction, and Construction Management / Inspection) |
$2.5 million |
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State GI Funds (36%)(maximum allowable 80%, capped at $900,000.00) |
$900,000.00 |
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City Funds (64%) ( minimum 20%, no cap on local participation) |
$1.6 million |
These estimates are very preliminary ballpark figures. Actual total project cost will vary depending on factors and conditions unknown at this stage of the project development. [Acquisition of additional R/W or easements is not included in the project cost]
Project Schedule
It is anticipated that the funding decision will be made by KDOT in July/August of this year. The schedule for improvements of US 40, west of K-10 will be influenced by the rate of progress and development of the future Recreational Center. However, due to the involvement of KDOT, this project would likely take about 18 to 24 months from concept to completion.
Action Requested
If appropriate, authorize staff to apply for FY 2015 Geometric Improvement Funding for reconstruction of US 40, between K-10 and the new Recreational Center.
Attachment