City of Lawrence

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

                   Terese Gorman, City Engineer

FROM:         David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer

DATE:           18 August 2005

SUBJECT:     Traffic Signal Renovations    

For the last several years, the City has issued GO Bonds for traffic signal renovations:

In 2002, $200,000 was issued for improvements to 6^th & Kentucky, 8^th & Kentucky, 15^th & Kasold, 23^rd & Haskell, 23^rd & Louisiana and Clinton & Kasold.  All of these projects have been completed except 6^th & Kentucky which will be completed this fall.

In 2003, $250,000 was issued for improvements to 6^th & Lawrence and 19^th & Louisiana.  6^th & Lawrence is complete and the study for 19^th & Louisiana is underway.

In 2004, $250,000 was issued for 19^th & Louisiana to complement the remaining funds from 2003.

This years allocation was set at $300,000.  It is recommended that those bonds now be issued for the following improvements:

1. Replace existing deteriorating painted steel poles and mast arms at 9^th & Iowa, 15^th & Iowa and 25^th & Iowa.  Estimated cost is $60,000.  The seriousness of this situation came to light recently with the knockdown of one of the poles at 9^th & Iowa (see attached photographs); luckily we happened to have an old pole with the exact same bolt circle that we were able to get installed in approximately five hours; otherwise, it would have taken at least 3 months to get delivery on a new pole.

2. Install battery backup systems at the following intersections; estimated cost is $234,000:

a. 6^th Street at Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Iowa, Rockledge, Schwarz, Lawrence, Kasold, Monterey and Wakarusa;

b. Iowa Street at 9^th, Harvard, 15^th, 19^th, 23^rd, 25^th, and 27^th;

c. 23^rd Street at Ousdahl, Naismith, Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Barker, Haskell and Harper;

d. Clinton Parkway at Lawrence, Kasold, Hartford/Hawthorn, Crossgate, Inverness and Wakarusa;

e. 31^st Street at Ousdahl, Home Depot/Post Office and Nieder;

f. 9^th Street at Kentucky, Tennessee and Emery;

g. 19^th Street at Massachusetts, and

h. 3^rd Street at KTA.

The advantage of these systems was evident yesterday afternoon when    power was lost throughout southwest Lawrence and the Police Department requested STOP signs at 7 major intersections (we only have enough to post one major intersection at a time); however, the one intersection in the middle of the area that currently has a battery backup system, 31^st & Iowa, switched over to batteries without anyone even noticing.

If additional information is needed, please advise.