Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David Cronin, City Engineer

FROM:

David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer

DATE:

18 May 2015

RE:

27th Street Traffic Calming

 

Background

At the May 12, 2015 City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed city staff to provide estimates and a funding source to complete the sidewalk along the north side of 27th Street, west of Belle Haven Drive; to construct a raised crosswalk and pedestrian hybrid beacon across 27th Street at Naismith Valley Park; and, to provide recommendations for installation of two (2) interim stop locations on 27th Street between Iowa Street & Louisiana Street until 31st Street and Louisiana Street are reopened to traffic.

 

Existing Parking Restrictions; 25th Street and 27th Street

The following parking restrictions are currently in place on 25th Street and 27th Street and are shown on the attached map:

 

·         25th Street, north side, from Louisiana Street, west 50 feet

·         25th Street, north side, from Alabama Street, east 75 feet

·         25th Street, north side, from Alabama Street to Naismith Drive

·         25th Street, south side, from Louisiana Street to Alabama Street

·         25th Street, south side, from Missouri Street, west 100 feet

·         25th Street, south side, from Arkansas Street, east 100 feet

·         27th Street, north side, 7am-6pm Except Sunday from Louisiana Street to Alabama Street

·         27th Street, north side, from Missouri Street to Arkansas Street

·         27th Street, south side, from Louisiana Street to Iowa Street

 

Sidewalk, Raised Crosswalk and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon

The following estimates are provided for the construction of the sidewalk along the north side of 27th Street west of Belle Haven Drive, the raised crosswalk across 27th Street at Naismith Valley Park, and the pedestrian hybrid beacon at the crosswalk at Naismith Valley Park:

 

·         Sidewalk - $80,000

·         Raised Crosswalk - $12,000

·         Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon - $60,000

 

Construction of these items can be accomplished during this year’s construction season.

 

Funding and Construction Schedule

Construction of the sidewalk, raised crosswalk and pedestrian hybrid beacon can be accomplished during this year’s construction season and can be funded from the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.

 

Interim Stop Signs

Any change in traffic control has the potential to increase crashes until motorists get accustomed to the change; therefore, interim stop signs could increase crashes both when initially installed and when removed. If interim stop signs are installed at two (2) locations along 27th Street, it is recommended that they be installed at the intersection with Ridge Court and at the intersection with the Naismith Valley Trail (see attached map). This would spread the stop locations so that traffic would not back-up from stop point to stop point, and would not divert traffic onto other neighborhood streets; the addition of stop signs east of Naismith Valley Park could divert to other neighborhood streets, such as, 25th Street, 27th Terrace, Alabama Street, Arkansas Street, Belle Haven Drive or Missouri Street, depending on the location.

 

Interim stop signs can be installed as soon as Wednesday, May 27, for a period of 90 days (August 27), at the direction of the city traffic engineer, under Section 3 of the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities, “Emergency, Temporary and Experimental Regulations,” which is incorporated into the City Code.

 

Flags would be placed on the new stop signs together with stop ahead signs, also with flags to get motorist’s attention to a change in traffic control. In addition, portable message signs may be placed on 27th Street for approximately one week advising motorists of a change in traffic control.

 

Staff Recommendation

It is recommended that funding be provided and construction authorized to complete the sidewalk along the north side of 27th Street between Arkansas Street and Belle Haven Drive, construction of a raised crosswalk at the Naismith Valley Trail crossing, and construction of a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the Naismith Valley Trail crossing. In addition, it is recommended that interim stop signs be installed for 90 days on 27th Street at Ridge Court and at the Naismith Valley Trail crossing.

 

Action

Pending Commission discussion, if appropriate, provide direction to city staff on capital improvements and interim traffic control along 27th Street between Iowa Street & Louisiana Street.