Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

TO:	Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
CC:	Chuck Soules, P.E., Public Works Director
FROM:	David Cronin, P.E., City Engineer
DATE:	February 17, 2015
RE:	Update 2015 Capital Improvement Projects Set Bid date for PW1316 Bob Billings & George Williams Traffic Signal and Geometric Improvements Set Bid date for PW1437 Bob Billings Turn Lane Improvements at Corpus Christi Church Set bid date of March 10, 2015 for PW1345 – Bob Billings Parkway, Foxfire Drive to Wakarusa Drive Pavement Reconstruction, Pavement Marking, Sidewalk Improvements

Bob Billings Parkway & George Williams Way - Traffic Signal & Geometric Improvements

In 2013 the City Commission authorized staff to design and construct a traffic signal at the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way in anticipation of the future interchange at K-10 and Bob Billings Parkway; the KDOT project is on schedule to be complete in late 2015/early 2016. The City Commission approved Resolution 7030 on July 16, 2013 for $275,000 in general obligation bonds for design and construction of the project.

The scope of the intersection project includes installation of a traffic signal and the addition of dedicated left turn lanes at the intersection for eastbound and westbound Bob Billings Parkway; bicycle lanes will remain on Bob Billings Parkway. Plans also include widening of existing Bob Billings to the west to tie-into the KDOT interchange project, and will accommodate a center turn lane on Bob Billings Parkway to promote safer turning movements for the existing Legend Trail Drive in addition to any future access points. The turn lane is an add to the original scope but will alleviate concerns of constructing a future project under traffic. The estimated total construction cost is $775,000; the balance of the project will be funded from infrastructure sales tax.

Private utility companies met with staff in the field to identify and resolve potential conflicts on January 22, 2015; relocation of any facilities is to occur prior to March 31, 2015. Plans are complete and ready for letting in February to allow sufficient lead time to order and manufacture signal poles for installation during summer 2015.

Bob Billings Parkway - Benefit District for Turn Lane Improvements at Corpus Christi Church

In October of 2014 Corpus Christi Church signed a petition not to protest the formation of a benefit district and the City Commission approved Resolution 7094 directing the improvements to be completed. The scope includes the construction of a dedicated left turn lane on Bob Billings Parkway, warranted through a Traffic Impact Study with the additional site improvements. The estimated construction cost is $250,000 with 100% being paid by the benefit district (Corpus Christi) and 0% by the City at large. Letting the project at the same time as the City's Bob Billings Parkway and George Williams Way project will provide advantages with the economies of scale.

Bob Billings Parkway, Foxfire Drive to Wakarusa Drive - Pavement Reconstruction, Pavement Marking, Sidewalk Improvements

Bob Billings Parkway between Foxfire and Wakarusa Drive has significant pavement deterioration and cracking occurring and is in need of reconstruction. The project was originally scheduled for summer of 2014, however due to the significant amount of other projects it was delayed until 2015.

Bob Billings Parkway in this area is a 4-lane roadway with 2 lanes going in each direction separated by a 16 foot wide median. This median will be reduced in width to allow for 5 foot bike lanes to be striped in each direction once pavement reconstruction is complete. Curb and gutter will be replaced on the new median. Left turn lanes will be provided and deteriorating sidewalk will be replaced on both the north and south side of the street. Conduit for future fiber will be included in the project. The plans were completed in-house with city staff and the estimated cost is $1.2M to be funded from the infrastructure sales tax.

Bob Billings Parkway Corridor - Traffic Improvements

City Staff held a public meeting with neighbors in January 2014 to receive input regarding traffic concerns along Bob Billings Parkway from K-10 interchange to Kasold. A summary of public concerns include the following:

Need for traffic signals or roundabouts in corridor to control speed and access.
Left-turn lanes are needed in areas with only four lanes.
Sight distance is inadequate at several intersections.
A pedestrian crossing of Bob Billings Parkway is needed between Bob White Drive and Foxfire for the residents south of BBP to access the DeVictor Park Trail north of BBP.

The 2015 Capital Improvement Plan budgeted $2,250,000 for improvements on Bob Billings Parkway from Kasold to Wakarusa; $1,650,000 from infrastructure sales tax and $600,000 in general obligation bonds.

In addition to the traffic concerns is a need to address the pavement condition on Bob Billings Parkway. The section between Kasold and Wakarusa undergoes annual internal street maintenance work due to base failures and surface spalling. A major maintenance project with patching, mill/overlay and curb replacement could use a majority of the $2,250,000 budget. This spring, staff will meet with the neighbors again and work to propose a short term and long term plan to best address the pavement and traffic concerns of Bob Billings Parkway. A short term plan for construction in 2016 would address pavement condition and lower cost options for traffic concerns such as pavement restriping to add a turn lane and possibly access control at intersections. A long term plan would identify segments of Bob Billings Parkway to be reconstructed with new pavement, storm sewer, sidewalks, bike facilities and intersection improvements.

31st Street - East of Ousdahl

31st Street between Ousdahl and Louisiana will be reconstructed this spring concurrent with the Menards public improvements. The estimated construction cost of the project is $280,000; budgeted $160,000 from street maintenance funds and $120,000 from infrastructure sales tax.

Haskell Rail Trail

The existing aggregate Haskell Rail Trail (Burroughs Creek Rail Trail extended) from 23rd Street to 29th Street will be overlaid with concrete pavement this spring. The $220,000 project is a KDOT Transportation Alternative project with an 80/20 (state/city) cost share; city match of $44,000. The project will continue the goal of completing a bike/ped loop around the city. The KDOT South Lawrence Traffic Way project includes a shared-use path that will connect to 29th and Haskell. City staff is working on identifying funds to complete the short tie-in along 29th Street, connecting the two projects.

Action

Set bid date of March 10, 2015 for PW1316 Bob Billings Parkway & George Williams Way Geometric Improvement Project.

Set bid date of March 10, 2015 for PW1437 Bob Billings Turn Lane Improvements at Corpus Christi Church.

Set bid date of March 10, 2015 for PW1345 – Bob Billings Parkway, Foxfire Drive to Wakarusa Drive Pavement Reconstruction, Pavement Marking, and Sidewalk Improvements.

Pending Commission discussion, confirm the budget for improvements along BBP from K-10 to Kasold in an amount of $2,250,000.

Attachments

Location map of Bob Billings Parkway Projects

2015 & 2016 Design and Construction Schedule