City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Mike Wildgen

FROM:         Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

DATE:           June 15, 2004

CC:              Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, David Woosley

At the April 13, 2004 City Commission meeting the 2004 Street Maintenance Program was presented.  Also discussed was the traffic calming plan for the University Place Neighborhood.

The University Place traffic calming plan was approved June 3, 2003 and included the permanent construction of a pedestrian island between 18^th and 19^th on Louisiana, the permanent construction of a traffic circle at the intersection of 17^th (west leg) on Louisiana, and temporary installation of traffic circles at 17^th and Indiana and 17^th and Illinois.  It was pointed out that in order to complete these improvements the curb lines would need to be adjusted.  Before deciding to include these improvements in the street maintenance program, it was decided to wait for the University Place Neighborhoods’ conclusion on whether the temporary installations were desirable.  The cost for these four devices was estimated at $120,000 (in addition to the planned milling and overlay costs), and a funding source had not been identified. 

The University Place Neighborhood Association surveyed their members (attached) and has requested that these improvements be made permanent.  The request was provided to the Traffic Safety Commission on June 7, 2004 and approved (Item No. 4). 

These permanent device improvements cannot be completed at this time without additional funding.  Therefore, if sufficient funds are available next year these traffic calming improvements and the milling/overlay of these streets will be considered at that time.

If additional information is needed, please let me know.

Action Requested:  Receive report.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works