Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
Charles Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works
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FROM: |
Zachary D. Baker, E.I.T., Project Engineer
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CC: |
David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
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Date: |
January 6, 2014
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RE: |
Project PW1302– 9th Street – Emery Road to Michigan Street Mill & Overlay, Pavement Marking, Traffic Signal Improvements
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Background
The City of Lawrence applied for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds from KDOT for help with improving areas around the city where safety concerns are present. City staff submitted a proposal to KDOT and was awarded funds for a construction project at 9th & Emery. There have been safety concerns for traffic making left turns on Emery Road and on Michigan Street from 9th Street. Police reports show that in the past two years there have been a total of 33 vehicular accidents between Avalon Road and Arkansas Street, which is the limits for this project and includes the intersection of 9th & Emery and 9th & Michigan. There are no dedicated left turn lanes for these intersections. This project will provide a dedicated left turn lane for these two intersections.
Project Description
The 9th Street and Emery Road project includes the installation of new traffic signals at 9th & Emery, new sidewalks and ramps, a mill and overlay of 9th Street, and new pavement markings. The lane configuration of 9th Street is currently two eastbound and two westbound lanes. A proposed new 3-lane configuration will be restriped to allow for one through lane in each direction for east and westbound traffic on 9th Street, a center left turn lane between Emery and Michigan, and two new bike lanes beginning just west of Michigan Street and continuing west near Avalon Road. No curb reconstruction or road widening will be needed with this project. A drawing of this configuration is attached to this memo.
Intersection Capacity Analysis
Traffic counts were taken during AM and PM peak hours November 12, 2013 and an analysis of how the corridor and intersection would be affected by the removal of a through lane in each direction was performed.
The existing Level of Service (LOS) at 9th & Emery runs at a LOS “A”. LOS “A” is optimum and a LOS “E” or greater is considered unacceptable. The proposed 3-lane roadway during the AM peak hour would run at a LOS “A”. The PM peak intersection LOS had a “B” rating. This is also an acceptable rating.
In summary, the intersection will continue to perform at an acceptable level after removing two through lanes and replacing with a center left turn lane.
Complete Streets Policy
The addition of bike lanes to this project was proposed to help connect current bike lane corridors on 9th Street. The city has added bike lanes the last two years with construction projects along 9th Street. The purpose of these additions is to provide a bike friendly corridor to downtown Lawrence. Adding bike lanes is a way to comply with the City of Lawrence Complete Streets Policy that was approved in March 2012.
Project Funding
The project is being funded with Federal-aid funds that cover ninety percent (90%) of the participating construction and construction engineering costs (inspection) with a project cap of $500,000. The remaining ten percent (10%) and all other costs associated with the project are funded by the city from general obligation bonds. The project cost does not include the cost of engineering design or construction engineering services. Public Works staff is designing the project in-house and will be providing construction inspection. No property acquisition will be required.
Project Schedule
Preliminary Plans: December 2013
Final Plans: January 2014
Advertise and bidding: February 2014
KDOT Letting: March 19, 2014
Construction: Summer 2014
Action Request
1. Authorize city staff to proceed with design and plan production.
2. Approve Resolution 7053 for the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for the main trafficway improvements to 9th Street from Avalon Rd to Missouri Street in the amount of $50,000.
Attachments: