Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer
CC:	Charles Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
Date:	February 20, 2013
RE:	City Manager's Report Item for February 26, 2013 Project PW1135 - 6th & Iowa Geometric Improvements Engineering Design Update

Project Description

The primary scope of the 6th & Iowa project has been to include a dedicated left turn lane for west bound traffic. The proposed left turn lane will reduce the average intersection delay, reduce accidents and improve traffic flow in a significant way.

The dedicated left turn lane can be established by widening the roadway to the north and reducing the width of the existing lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet. Sidewalk on the north side will be reconstructed and the existing guard rails on both north and south side of 6^th street will be replaced with a combination of concrete safety barrier and new guard rails. Additional improvements include new traffic signal poles and equipment with battery backups and illuminated street name signs.  Pavement in the intersection will be milled and overlaid as the base is generally in good condition.

As the design has progressed under the budgeted cost of the project, three additional improvements have been included. A dedicated eastbound right turn lane for traffic turning south, dual left turn lanes for northbound traffic heading west and new sidewalk on the south side of Iowa from the Highpointe apartments entrance to the ramp loop connection with 6th Street (southbound to eastbound). With future funding the sidewalk could be extended to Rockledge Rd, the last remaining sidewalk gap on 6th Street. 

All together, the additional turn lanes are anticipated to reduce delays by about 75% in the peak hour, from 93 seconds/vehicle to about 23 seconds/vehicle.

The attached general layout sheet shows a plan view of the proposed improvements and traffic lane configuration.

Project History / Status

- On December 20, 2011, the City Commission authorized staff to solicit Qualifications/Proposals and approved Resolution 6957 authorizing general obligation bonds in the amount of $900,000 to fund the geometric improvements at 6th & Iowa.

- On March 9, 2012 three firms were interviewed by the selection committee and Landplan Engineering was selected.

- On April 3, 2012 the City Commission authorized staff to negotiate an agreement for engineering services with Landplan Engineering.

Project Funding

Engineering Design Services: $72,000

Construction Cost: $828,000

Total Cost: $900,000

The total project budget including Engineering Design Services is $900,000. As there are no other state or federal funding sources available at this time, it is anticipated that 100% of the project cost will be financed by issuing General Obligation (GO) bonds.

Project Schedule

Completion of plans: March 2013

Advertise and bidding: April 2013

Construction: Summer 2013