Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director 

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

DATE:

April 14, 2014

RE:

Application for FY 2017 Geometric Improvement Funding

 

 

Background

KDOT's transportation plan, T-WORKS, includes a Geometric Improvement (GI) program that 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

With the anticipated 2016 completion of the South Lawrence Trafficway including the addition of an interchange at 31st & Haskell, improvements at 23rd & Haskell are recommended.  After the SLT, 23rd Street will come off of the state highway system as K-10 and will no longer be eligible for geometric improvement funds.

 

Recommended improvements at 23rd & Haskell include reconstruction with concrete pavement, the addition of westbound and eastbound dedicated right turn lanes on 23rd St, and widening Haskell south of the intersection to accommodate widening Haskell in the future.  Additional improvements include new traffic signals, storm sewer improvements and ADA compliant sidewalk ramps.

 

Total estimated cost of this project is $1.2 million. With $900,000 from GI funding, the city will have to contribute $300,000 to complete this project.

 

Staff Recommendation

Based on the impending South Lawrence Trafficway project, staff recommends reconstruction of the 23rd & Haskell intersection for FY2016 Geometric Improvement Funding Application with an estimated construction cost of $1.2 million; $300,000 would be city contribution.  Another factor considered in favor of this project is that East 23rd Street will need to be reconstructed after completion of the South Lawrence Trafficway and improving this intersection prior to reconstructing 23rd St will be beneficial.

 

The estimates are very preliminary and actual total project cost will vary depending on factors and conditions unknown at this stage of the project development, including acquisition of additional R/W or easements.

 

Project Schedule

The applications are due May 9th 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.  Construction would likely occur in summer/fall of 2016.

 

Action Requested

If appropriate, authorize staff to submit FY 2017 Geometric Improvement Application for reconstruction of the 23rd & Haskell intersection including geometric improvements.