Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director

FROM:

David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer

CC:

Charles Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works

DATE:

RE:

May 14, 2014

South Lawrence Trafficway Project Update

 

Project Update

Construction on the $130 million South Lawrence Trafficway project began in November 2013 and work is on schedule to be complete in fall of 2016.  The project's construction sequencing was designed into three main phases; Phase 1 in 2013/2014, Phase 2 in 2015 and Phase 3 in 2016 (see attached). 

 

This June the project will enter the last stage of Phase 1, which will close 31st Street between Ousdahl and Louisiana to all east/west traffic until summer 2015.  This July Haskell will reopen south of 29th Street to restore north/south traffic into the county.  After Haskell reopens, Louisiana Street will be closed south of Broken Arrow Park until summer 2015. The original plan was to close Louisiana Street after 31st Street is reopened in summer 2015 and Louisiana would then be closed until winter 2015.  However, closing Louisiana at the same time as 31st Street will get the intersection open 6 months earlier. The intersection of 31st and Louisiana will be reconstructed slightly southwest of its current location and the three bridges in the plans will be constructed concurrently.

 

Reconstruction of 31st and Louisiana will also be phased with the improvements for the Utility Department's sanitary sewer pump station project, located just northwest of the intersection.  The sewer line work to cross Louisiana Street will be constructed while the street is closed and be complete by summer 2015;  original plans had the crossing work in fall 2015, thus closing Louisiana St for a longer duration.

 

Work on the 31st Street extension from Haskell to O'Connell (city project) is progressing and city staff anticipates that in summer of 2015 - 31st Street from Ousdahl to O'Connell, Haskell north of 31st Street and Louisiana north of 31st Street will all be open to traffic. See attached phasing plan.

 

The city is working with KDOT on assisting with public involvement to notify the area residents, businesses and schools.  Douglas County has been involved in the phasing plan with the understanding that Louisiana is not closed until Haskell reopens.