Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

Date:

August 5, 2013

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglas, David Cronin, Mark Thiel

RE:

Construction of 31st Street, from Haskell Avenue to O’Connell Road

KDOT Project No. 23 U-2117-01 – City Project No. 18-CP7-507(S)

 

Please include the following information on the August 13, 2013 City Commission Regular Agenda.

 

Project Background

This project has a long history beginning in 2006 when the City applied for a construction project and received a Federal earmark of $800,000 to begin design and acquire the R/W.  A steering Committee was formed in 2008. The Steering Committee was comprised of representatives from the adjacent neighborhoods, wetlands, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Planning/City/County Commissions, businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and staff.  The Steering Committee recommendations included:

 

Steering Committee Recommendations/Findings:

·         A curvilinear alignment

·         Southern alignment between Haskell and O’Connell following the topography

·         Typical sections, including medians and ditch sections (from Haskell Avenue east to the end of the industrial area, a three lane curb and gutter and storm sewer section)

·         Right-of-Way needed for future expansion – 150’

·         Multi-use path on north side and tying into Prairie Park

·         Design speed of 45 mph

·         Intersection at Haskell Avenue will need a signal

·         Intersection at O’Connell Road should be reviewed for a signal and roundabout

·         Speed limit of 45 mph was recommended

·         Several meetings were held with the City and County Commissions and open public meetings

·         Construction funding was not identified

 

TYPICAL SECTION

 

 

 

 

 

Project Alignment

 

 

Project Status

In 2009 KDOT announced the T-Works Transportation Program that included the construction of the SLT.

 

As part of the SLT project, an interchange will be constructed at 31st Street & Haskell Avenue.  This interchange will also include the construction/reconstruction of the intersection at 31st Street and Haskell Avenue and 31st Street east of Haskell Avenue, approximately 1500 feet (approximately 1/3 of the project).  Right-of-way for the SLT also acquires approximately 40% to 50% of the right-of-way needed for the 31st Street project.

 

In 2012, the City entered into an agreement with KDOT to construct 31st Street.  The agreement included:

  • The Secretary would acquire the right-of-way for the project.
  • The Secretary will bid the project.
  • The City will pay $2 million in 2014 and 2015 (estimated construction cost) plus right-of-way acquisition costs.
  • After construction and acceptance KDOT will deed over the property acquired for the project.

 

The City will be responsible for construction inspection.

 

At the Commission’s August 6, 2013 meeting, the City Commission initiated the annexation of the 31st Street right-of-way.

 

Wetlands

The Army Corps of Engineers determined that the 31st Street project would affect approximately 11 acres of existing wetlands.

 

The SLT project acquired additional property due to having to acquire larger tracts and not leaving unusable areas.  KDOT has agreed to allow the City to acquire 11 acres of the excess property to use as our mitigation area.

 

KDOT paid approximately $6,500 an acre which the City will need to reimburse (approximately $72,000).  The mitigation area will require plantings, monitoring, maintenance, and reporting for 3 years.  Baker University (Dr. Roger Boyd) has agreed to do all work to meet the permit requirements.  The City and Baker University will need to enter into an agreement for this work which Dr. Boyd has agreed to complete for $62,000.  This agreement will be presented to the Commission for approval. 

 

Permit

The permit must be agreed to by the City, before the Corps will issue it.  The permit includes the plan for the area (appendix A attached), construction of wetlands, plantings, maintenance, riparian buffer (appendix D attached), types of plants, and quantities.  The plantings include 624 buck brush, 432 gooseberries, 48 elderberries, 780 bush honeysuckles all per acre and an average of 250 trees per acre (mitigation plan attached).  Monitoring and reporting for 3 years.  The permit also requires a deed restriction that the land cannot be used for other purposes.

 

Project Schedule

The SLT and 31st Street will be bid at the same time (separate projects).  The bid date for both projects is September 18, 2013.

 

Action Requested

Authorize Mayor to sign Department of Army Permit Number NWK-2011-124 for the construction of 31st Street, from Haskell to O’Connell, City Project Number 18-CP7-507(S).

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/ch