Lawrence city and Douglas County commissioners couldn't agree Tuesday whether to spend money on proposed 31st Street improvements or even what they want the road to look like.
"If there's at all any hope that the (South Lawrence) Trafficway will be built," said Douglas County Commissioner Bob Johnson, "then I'd prefer to spend our money wisely and spend it once."
"When do we know to give up hope?" County Commissioner Charles Jones asked.
"If we have to wait three or four years," Johnson said, "We have to wait three or four years."
But Lawrence Mayor Mike Rundle said there are pressing traffic demands on 31st Street that need quicker attention.
"That congestion we're seeing, that's local traffic," Rundle said. "And that's still going to be there even if the trafficway is built."
The discussion came during a joint meeting of the two commissions to review a consultant's preliminary report on possible improvements to 31st Street. The report, first unveiled in mid-December, suggests that paving and intersection improvements could cost $4.85 million.
City Commissioner David Dunfield said the commissions need to create a "vision" for the road.
"I have a lot of faith in the ability of engineers to come up with creative solutions ... when direction is clearly given," Dunfield said. "What I'm concerned about is that we, the policy-making bodies, have not given clear direction."
He suggested the road be designed to relieve Louisiana Street congestion, preserve access to the wetlands and slow the speed of vehicles through the area.
Other commissioners were skeptical.
"Is that all doable?" City Commissioner Jim Henry asked.
"There are trade-offs," said Mike Wahlstedt of TranSystems Corp., the consultant.
A final report on the project is due in late March.
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