Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Debbie Van Saun

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

David Woosley, Dena Mezger, Toni Wheeler

Date:

March 15, 2007

RE:

March 27, 2007 Agenda Item

Two-Way Left-Turn Lane on Iowa

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the March 27, 2007 meeting:

Project History. 

3/31/06

Federal-Aid Safety projects submitted to KDOT

10/2/06

Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) considered/recommended the establishment of a no-left turn on Iowa at Orchard Lane, Oxford Road, Stratford Road and University Drive.

10/17/06

TSC recommendation presented to the City Commission.  City Commission sent item back to the TSC to hold a public hearing.

11/6/06

TSC reconsidered the left-turn restriction on Iowa and recommended a restriction between certain hours.

1/4/07

Received KDOT approval for three projects meeting the program requirements (city to select one)

·         Construct left-turn lane on 9th at Avalon

·         Construct roundabout at 19th and Naismith

·         Construct roundabout on McDonald Drive and direct southbound traffic under 6th Street to merge into southbound Iowa.

1/9/07

City Commission received TSC second recommendation.  City Commission did not approve the recommendation and asked staff to look at options for providing a left-turn lane.

2/27/07

Met with KDOT to discuss center turn lane on Iowa.

3/15/07

Held public meeting to discuss center turn lane on Iowa from Harvard Road to University Drive.

 

Proposed Project Details.  The project would include widening Iowa Street approximately 8 feet, and curb and gutter replacement.  Lane widths will be 11 feet wide.  At this time it has not been determined whether the widening would be on both sides (4 feet each side); widening on one side would be less expensive.  Preliminarily, there exists more right of way on the west side.  Sidewalks would be installed on both sides; currently a sidewalk exists on the west side only.  Preliminary estimated cost for the project could be approximately $1.2 million.  If KDOT approved this project they might provide up to half of the project cost.

 

 

Project Status.  The city met with KDOT on February 27, 2007 to discuss the possibility of using the Highway Safety Funding approved for one of the Avalon/Naismith/McDonald Drive projects for the widening of Iowa and the creation of a of a two-way left-turn lane from approximately Harvard Road to University Drive.  KDOT has agreed to allow the city to submit all relevant data (traffic volumes, turning movements, speeds, accidents…….) and then will review/evaluate the data with respect to the program criteria.  If the traffic information supports that this project is eligible for Highway Safety funding then KDOT would be willing to allow the City of Lawrence to change the project location (to Iowa).  This is not standard/typical practice.  Many communities compete for Highway Safety Funding; however, KDOT wants to support the projects that are important to the community. 

 

This particular project (adding a two-way left-turn lane on Iowa) was approved by KDOT in 1993; however, the city did not accept the funding.  Should this project be eligible KDOT would like to know that the community is supportive.  A meeting was held on Thursday, March 15, at Hillcrest school and notification was sent to residents along Iowa, residents from approximately Crestline Drive west to High Drive, residents from Harvard south to Terrace Road, six neighborhood associations, and those in attendance at the TSC meeting. This project has received a lot of support from the neighbors/neighborhoods. (Attached are emails received.) University Heights Neighborhood Association fully supports the project.  University Drive residents have expressed concern that the two-way left-turn lane would encourage additional University traffic through their neighborhood.

 

It is interesting to note that this project, as well as comments received, is very similar to the left-turn lane on 6th Street from Tennessee to Maine.  The 6th Street project has improved traffic flow and safety and the city has received a lot of positive feedback.

 

Action Request.  As appropriate, authorize Mayor to sign a letter stating the city’s support to establish a two-way left-turn lane on Iowa Street from approximately Harvard Road to University Drive and requesting KDOT’s consideration of this project. Direct staff to submit all supporting traffic data to KDOT.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/jme

 

Attachments:  Crash Diagram/Volumes

                   Peak Hour Turning Movements

                   Emails

                        Additional Emails – Added 03/23/07