Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

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

FROM:

Zachary D. Baker, E.I.T., Project Engineer

CC:

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

Mark Thiel, Assistant Director of Public Works

DATE:

April 28, 2015

RE:

Project PW1501 KLINK Project, Iowa Street (U.S. 59 HWY) From North of 23rd Street to 19th Street; & From North of 19th Street to South of 15th Street, & From South of Harvard Road to South of 6th Street, KDOT project U-0318-01 - Set Bid Date Sign City/State Agreement

 

Background

The “KLINK” (Kansas connecting links) resurfacing program of the Kansas Department of Transportation is intended to assist local governments with the maintenance of 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). While the City can expand the scope of a KLINK funded project to include geometric or other major improvements (e.g. widening to provide turn lanes, curb repair, sidewalks, bike paths/lanes, traffic signal improvements etc.), the state funds are to be used only for maintenance of the roadway consisting of various surface treatment measures (e.g. mill and overlay, patching, joint repairs etc.). Under the KLINK program, the city has received contributions from KDOT up to the maximum amount of $200,000 per year for several years now.

 

KDOT contributes 50% of all “eligible” costs of construction and construction inspection services, up to a maximum amount of $200,000.00. Costs related to maintenance or surface treatment measures (such as mill and overlay, patching, joint repair etc.) are considered eligible. The city is responsible for the balance of all eligible costs plus 100% of all non-eligible costs, i.e. costs of geometric improvements or other major improvements of the roadway.

 

The city is also responsible for 100% of the cost of engineering design services. City staff provides the engineering design services and prepares the construction plans and specifications. Construction inspection is also provided by city staff.

 

Project Description

The 2015 KLINK project includes the milling and overlay of pavement on Iowa Street between 23rd Street and the Irving Hill Road bridge and Harvard Road to south of 6th Street (see attached map). Repairing these sections of road will provide a new surface on Iowa Street from 23rd Street to 6th Street which will tie together the three recent 2013/2014 intersection reconstruction projects at 6th, 15th, and 23rd and Iowa.  New pavement markings will be included and video detection camera systems will be installed on traffic signals at the 19th & Iowa, Harvard & Iowa, and 9th & Iowa intersections. The project will cause minor traffic interruptions and lane closures during the mill and overlay operations, but will maintain at least one through lane in each direction at all times.

 

Portions of this project will be occurring during the same time as KU makes improvements to the Irving Hill Bridge. The City and KU will work together and coordinate the work to minimize traffic disruptions and maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction open at all times.

 

City/State Agreement

The City Commission approved the project City/State agreement March 24, 2015 however; KDOT has recommended a revised agreement that splits the project into two segments; north and south of 19th Street.  New Federal requirements would cause significant reconstruction of the sidewalks at the intersection of 19th and Iowa including re-grading the corner, removing and replacing the sidewalk and ramps, installing a new pedestrian pedestal and possibly lowering/replacing the traffic signal pole.  The additional cost for this work would be in the $75,000 to $100,000 range and outside the scope of a pavement maintenance project which would be at 100% City cost.  KDOT recommends the revised agreement which separates the project at 19th Street. The KLINK funds will still be maximized at the $200,000 cap with the work north of 19th Street.

 

Sidewalk improvements are traditionally made on city mill/overlay maintenance projects.  In the recent past, the sidewalk gaps have been completed on 6th Street, 23rd Street and south Iowa.  However, with the extraordinary cost for this improvement it is recommended to wait until the intersection can be upgraded with a future capital improvement project. 

 

Project Funding

The total estimated project cost is $800,000 and KDOT will contribute $200,000 with the balance funded from street maintenance funds.

 

Project Schedule

Advertise for bids: April 29, 2015

Bid date: June 2, 2015

Award Contract: June 9, 2015

Anticipated Start Date: June 2015

Project Completion Date: August 2015

 

Action Request

If appropriate, authorize the Mayor to sign the City/State Agreement for the project.

 

If appropriate, authorize the Mayor to set a bid date for project PW-1501 - Iowa Street from 6th Street to Harvard Rd. (KLINK portion) and North of 23rd Street to 19th Street; Bid No. B1528, for April 29, 2015.