Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	Mike Wildgen
FROM:	Chuck Soules, P.E.
CC:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, David Woosley
Date:	October 21, 2004
RE:	Kasold Reconstruction, Bob Billings Parkway to West 22^nd Street

On October 6, 2004 the City Commission held a study session at which the Kasold Drive Preliminary Study was presented.  Four alternatives were evaluated:

1. Option 1:  Remove and replace existing pavement.  This option does not make any improvements for access, future traffic, visibility, or safety.  Pedestrian access is also not provided.  This option does provide reduced construction costs and a reduced schedule.  The typical section included 4 lanes with a median.
2. Option 2:  This option provided some improvements to visibility and a 10’ recreation path was constructed.  A fifth turning lane was provided from Tam O’Shanter Drive to 15^th Street and Augusta Drive to 22^nd Street.  The intersections at Bob Billings Parkway and Clinton Parkway would be improved to meet future traffic volume demands.  There would not be any grassed area between lanes, and costs are more than desired.
3. Option 3:  Improves sight distances and grades of the road section of Option 2 to meet current AASHTO standards.  This option increases excavation costs and requires extensive retaining wall construction which drives construction costs up.
4. Option 4:  This option reduces the scope of the project provided by Option 2.  The project limits are 15^th Street to West 22^nd Street.  No improvements are provided for the intersection at Clinton Parkway.  This option reduces the costs of Option 2 by 20%.  A 10’ rec path and turning lanes are provided, however the grassed median is removed.

The study can be accessed at http://www.lawrencepublicworks.org/kasold/pre-design-report.shtml

After much discussion, staff was asked to develop an additional option (#5) to include a grassed median, and narrow the project scope to the immediate need to repair the section of pavement that was failing.

Bartlett & West and City staff have revisited the scope and parameters of the project and would like to present Option #5 for the City Commission consideration.  The project scope/limit for this option is from Bob Billings Parkway (15^th Street) to West 22^nd Street.  The typical section includes:

1. 4-11 ft. driving lanes (reduced from 12 ft.)
2. 18 in. dry curb on the medians
3. 8 ft. wide sidewalk
4. South end of project a 7 ft. median;

North end of project a 16 ft. median

The reduction in width of the driving lanes to 11 ft. is acceptable on a multi-lane facility in an urban setting with a posted speed of 40 mph or less.  This reduction in lane and sidewalk width provides room for a median, furnishing a more “residential feel” and affording an awareness of a motorist’s speed.  Within the 16’ median (north end), trees could also be planted.

As discussed at the study session, many of the issues from the other options remain the same for option #5:

• Recommendation that Scioto Place be closed.
• Utility relocations will be necessary, including the waterline, this could be accomplished in 2005.
• Landscaping of adjacent properties is significant.
• Construction of the roadway in 2005 is not realistic at this point, although utility relocations could be completed.

The engineering estimate for Option #5 is $3,705,949 for asphalt, (concrete, $3,742,590). This does not include the waterline relocation, estimated at $825,000.  A matrix that includes information on all five options is attached for the purpose of comparison.

Action Requested: Receive report.  Provide staff direction for improvements of Kasold Drive.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

Attachments