City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Mike Wildgen, Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun
FROM:	Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works
DATE:	July 7, 2004
CC:	Terese Gorman, Linda Finger, David Woosley, Bill Ahrens
RE:	KDOT Applications

KDOT applications for KLINK, Geometric Improvements, and Economic Development are due August 2, 2004.

KLINK, Fiscal Year 2007 – The KLINK Program is for resurfacing improvements (mill and overlay) of city connecting links (HWY 40, HWY 59, and K10).  KDOT will participate in the cost of construction and inspection at the rate of 50%, not to exceed $200,000 of state funds.  These projects are to improve roadway surfacing of city connecting links, i.e. the state and federal highways only.

Next year the City of Lawrence was approved for resurfacing 6^th Street from Arkansas to Massachusetts Street.  For FY 2007 (CY 2006) staff would propose Iowa from the KU overpass to Harvard,  and 23^rd Street from Haskell to the east City limit; the total cost is estimated at $600,000.

Geometric Improvements, Fiscal Year 2008 – KDOT will participate at the rate of 80% with 20% local match up to a maximum of $900,000.  These projects are limited to city connecting links, i.e. the state and federal highways only.  City participation above the 20% minimum is encouraged by KDOT.

Previous projects submitted included a signalized intersection at 23^rd and East Hills Drive and a roundabout at this same intersection, neither were approved.  Last year the City submitted the construction of a left turn lane on W. 6^th Street from Folks Road east to Hy-Vee. 

Proposed projects would include:

• Center turn lane on W. 6^th Street from Folks Road east to approximately 1,000 feet west of Monterey Way (Hy-Vee), estimated cost $1.2 million (requested from state, $900,000; city share, $300,000).
• Left turn lanes on Michigan Street (north and south bound) at 6^th Street.  Traffic counts in 2001 were 32,515 vpd on 6^th Street and 6,880 vpd on Michigan.  Projected future traffic volumes (2025) on 6^th Street are 55,910 vpd.  Providing a left turning movement on Michigan will allow better traffic flow and improve (extend) the “green time” on US 40 (6^th Street).  The estimated cost is $950,000 (requested from state, $760,000; city share, $190,000).
• Left turn lane on Harper Street (south leg) at 23^rd Street.  A left turn lane already exists on the north leg of the intersection on Harper.  Traffic counts on the south leg of Harper in 2001 were 3,500 vpd,  and 34,845 vpd on 23^rd Street.  This improvement will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow through the intersection.  The estimated cost is $450,000 (requested from state, $360,000; city share $90,000).

Economic Development, fiscal year 2007 – KDOT will participate to a maximum of $2,000,000.  Local government must provide at least 25% of the total project cost.  Local participation is considered to be a key item for project selection.  Any prospective highway and bridge construction project which has the potential to enhance significantly the income, employment, sales receipts, and land values of the surrounding area may be considered for these construction funds.

Last year we proposed to submit the purchase and consolidation of curb cuts and acquisition of public access easements on 23^rd Street between Iowa and Louisiana.  This would be in conformance with the recommendations in the 23^rd Street Access Management Plan.  This project was approved and has a total budget of $936,000 with an estimated City share of $436,000.

Projects for consideration would include:

• The extension of East Hills Drive to Franklin Road, and Franklin to K10.   Franklin is identified as an arterial for this area and this would provide a safe outlet to K-10 once this intersection is signalized.  The estimated cost is $2,500,000 (requested from State, $1,875,000; City share, $675,000).
• 31^st Street from Haskell to O’Connell.  The proposed improvements would be a four-lane divided arterial street.  This project would conform to the 31^st Street Study.  Estimated cost is $3-4 million.
• 15^th Street interchange at K10.  The estimated cost is $6,000,000 (requested from State, $2,000,000; City share, $4,000,000).

Action Requested:   Discuss proposed projects and provide staff direction on which applications/projects to complete/submit.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules,

Director of Public Works

CFS/je