Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director |
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FROM: CC: |
David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer Charles F. Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works David Woosley, P.E., City Transportation Engineer |
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DATE: |
April 14, 2014 |
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RE: |
Application for FY 2016 & FY 2017 Highway Safety Improvement Program Funding
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Background
The Federal-Aid Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds is a federal program administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). Under this program, funding is made available to local communities for construction of safety improvements on highways and local streets. The program is competitive and award decisions are made based on life-cycle cost-benefit analysis of the proposed improvement measures. This is a 90/10 cost sharing program to pay for the construction cost of safety improvements; 90% Federal-Aid and 10% local match. The local entity is also responsible for 100% of the cost of engineering design and other miscellaneous expenses. Each community can submit up to 4 intersections for consideration of funding.
Project Selection
Staff has preliminarily identified three intersections for potential projects of FY 2016/17 Safety Funds at the following locations:
Wakarusa Dr. & Harvard Rd.
The next section of Wakarusa Drive planned to be reconstructed in 2015 will include the intersection with Harvard Rd. The existing intersection is a 4-way stop that already meets the warrants for improvements. City staff is proposing improvements that would include a roundabout similar to the proposed roundabout at Wakarusa and Inverness/Legend; with a 2 lane approach on Wakarusa and 1 lane approach on Harvard. The roundabout would increase level of service and reduce high severity crashes that cause injuries. There have been 11 crashes the past 3 years, 2 involved injuries.
The total estimated cost of this project is $500,000. ($450,000 state/$50,000 city).
Kasold Dr. & Harvard Rd.
Kasold Drive between Bob Billings Parkway and 6th Street is in need of pavement reconstruction and has been budgeted for 2016 construction. The existing 4-way stop at Kasold and Harvard has had 13 crashes the past 3 years with 1 injury crash. A roundabout would be appropriate for this location.
The total estimated cost of this project is $500,000. ($450,000 state/$50,000 city).
19th St & Naismith Dr.
19th Street between Naismith and Iowa is scheduled to be reconstructed with infrastructure sales tax funds in either 2018 or 2019. Reconstructing the intersection of 19th St and Naismith could be done prior to that project. The existing intersection has a traffic signal, but a roundabout would improve level of service and improve safety. There have been 17 crashes at this intersection the past 3 years, 2 injury crashes.
The total estimated cost of this project is $550,000 ($495,000 state/$55,000 city).
Staff Recommendation
These three intersections are within limits of pavement reconstruction projects the next five years. Receiving safety funds can offset some of the pavement reconstruction costs at these intersections. Roundabouts have fewer conflict points with other vehicles and pedestrians. They reduce high severity crashes such as right angle and left-turn/head-on crashes. Staff recommends submitting an application to KDOT for safety funds including all three intersections.
Project Schedule
The applications are due May 5, 2014 and it is anticipated that the funding decision will be made by KDOT in July/August of this year. If approved, the plans could be developed in-house with city staff in 2015/2016. Construction would likely occur in 2016/2017.
Action Requested
If appropriate, authorize staff to submit FY 2016/2017 Highway Safety Improvement Program application for improvements at: Wakarusa & Harvard, Kasold & Harvard, and 19th & Naismith.