Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass

Date:

April 26, 2012

RE:

South Lawrence Trafficway

 

PROJECT HISTORY: 

The South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) has had a long and eventful history.  Following is a brief summary of that history:

 

1964

First proposal of the SLT

1966

DOT Act

1968

Civil Rights Act

1969

National Environmental Policy Act

1975

Clinton Lake finished

1986

FHWA gets involved with SLT / publishes Notice of Intent to prepare Environmental Impact Study (EIS)

1990

FHWA complete EIS

31st Street Alignment selected

1991

Final design began

1993

Construction on west leg of SLT begins

1994-2002

Multiple alignments / potential designs for a 31st Street, 32nd Street, 35th Street and 38th Street evaluated

2002

Final EIS for eastern portion of SLT recommends 32nd Street “B” Alignment

2003

Record of Decision(ROD) issued by Corps of Engineers

2008
  • FHWA issues ROD adopting COE EIS
  • KDOT and FHWA sued
  • KDOT finished design survey for 32nd Street “B” Alignment

2009

First 142 acres of wetland mitigation completed

2010

Field Check

KDOT and FHWA win lawsuit

2011

Lawsuit appended

KDOT begins final design

 

On June 3, 2011, KDOT announced the T-Works Program which is a 10 year, $8 billion transportation program.  Among projects to be completed is the eastern leg of the SLT.  The project is estimated to cost $188 million.  The SLT project had the highest regional economic impact of all the projects in Kansas, estimated at $3.428 billion.

 

2012

Legal arguments heard in January

2013

Tentative letting is scheduled for Fall 2013 pending appeal decision

 

PROJECT SPECIFICS:

 

Road Improvements (FIGURE 1)

  • The project begins at the K-10 bridge over Hwy 59 (Iowa Street) and ties back into K-10 east of Noria Road.
  • K-10 will be a 4-lane divided/separated roadway.  (FIGURE 2)
  • An interchange will be constructed approximately midway at Haskell Avenue.
  • An interchange west of Noria Road (N. 1750 Road) will allow access to 23rd Street.
  • Louisiana Street south of 31st Street will be relocated one-half mile west and tie back into E. 1400 Road just north of the Wakarusa River.  The relocated Louisiana Street will bridge over K-10.  There is no access from Louisiana to K-10.
  • 31st Street between Haskell and Louisiana will be relocated south of the existing alignment.  The existing 31st Street adjacent to Haskell University property will be removed and the ground will be deeded back to Haskell University.
  • Haskell Avenue will be relocated east and tie into an interchange with K-10.  Haskell Avenue will continue south under K-10 and tie back into E1500 Road.
  • Noria Road will bridge over K-10.  There is no access to K-10 from Noria Road.
  • O’Connell Road will go under K-10.

 

Wetlands and Mitigation (FIGURE 3)

  • The SLT has a substantial mitigation program.
  • Wetland acres impacted                     57.6 acres

Mitigation                                        317.0 acres

Net additional wetlands provided       259.4 acres
  • Construction of a Cultural/Wetland Center, including a 10,000 sq. ft. building with classrooms, exhibit and museum areas.
  • Mitigation plan included an annuity to cover maintenance and operations of the wetlands.
  • Parking areas for visitors.
  • Camping area will be established.
  • Noise walls will be constructed.
  • Ten foot (10’) wide multi-use path will connect Iowa to O’Connell Road and connect to Haskell Avenue, Wetland Center, Mary’s Lake, and Broken Arrow Park.

 

31st Street, Haskell to O’Connell Road (FIGURE 1)

  • The SLT Project will construct approximately one-third of the 31st Street connection between Haskell Avenue and O’Connell Road.
  • KDOT will also bid the east portion of the 31st Street project from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.  This portion has been a city project for the last few years.  Bidding the projects together will provide better prices and construction scheduling with a single general contractor.  (31st Street typical section attached) (FIGURE 4)

 

City / State Agreement (ATTACHMENT 1)

The City Commission is asked to approve the agreement between the City and State for several items:

1)    The agreement allows KDOT to perform appraisal and property acquisition for the City’s portion of 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road and use the earmark the City received for property acquisition costs.  The earmark will not cover all costs and the City will have to fund the remainder,

2)    allows KDOT to bid and construct the 31st Street project for the City,

3)    City will reimburse KDOT for construction cost per the payment schedule in article II, paragraph 14,

4)    states that KDOT will prepare plans, bid and build the K-10 project,

5)    since several local streets are affected the agreement authorizes KDOT to complete the project within City limits and use City owned property (existing right-of-way),

6)    the City will maintain the pedestrian facilities constructed,

7)    give the City back 23rd Street from Iowa to East Hills Drive pending agreement between the City and State on any maintenance work needed,

8)    City will maintain certain bridges constructed on local streets within the City limits,

9)    City will vacate the existing 31st Street right-of-way adjacent to Haskell University to be given back to the  university,

10) City will maintain the lighting,

11) State will deed to the City the property south of Mary’s Lake for a park/wildlife area,

12) City agrees to a certain stormwater design for drainage purposes,

13) City is contributing $150,000 of Surface Transportation funds to the completion of the multi-use path between Iowa and Louisiana.

 

ACTION REQUESTED:  Pending City Commission discussion:

 

·         Adopt Resolution No. 6969, authorizing the Mayor to execute Agreement No. 12-12 with KDOT for the construction of improvements to K-10 (SLT) and the construction of 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road.