It’s political gridlock with a twist.

One month from now, tens of thousands of people — many of them World War II veterans — will converge on Lawrence for dedication of the Dole Institute of Politics building at KU.

And because the streets of Lawrence like the streets of most cities are not built to handle the influx of cars for such an event, that could lead to some traffic jams and parking problems July 20-22, when dedication events will be held at the center and elsewhere around the city.

“People just need to be patient,” said David Woosley, the city’s traffic engineer. “On those three days, I wouldn’t make trips around town that aren’t necessary. I’d plan on doing your grocery shopping ahead of time.”

Erik Nelson, associate director of the center named for longtime U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, said the plan for parking and traffic hadn’t been completed. But the general idea is to have visitors park in lots around the edge of town and ride shuttle buses to Kansas University’s West Campus and the Lawrence Municipal Airport, where most of the events will be staged.

Possible parking areas include the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, Tanger Outlet Mall and the former Kmart. Shuttle routes haven’t been determined, but discussions have centered on having five routes between campus and Sixth Street, Iowa Street, Lawrence Holidome, downtown and the airport.

“We have to get the message out: ‘Don’t be silly and try to go to campus. Save yourself some needless frustration,'” Nelson said.

He said he expected to finish the parking and shuttle plans in the next week to 10 days.

Construction continues on the Dole Institute of Politics building on Kansas University's West Campus. The July 20-22 dedication events are expected to attract thousands to Lawrence.

Richard Norton Smith, the institute’s director, recently estimated from 50,000 to 70,000 people would attend the events, which include a military encampment, “Memory Tent” of veterans, USO-style show and dedication ceremony. Other estimates of the potential crowd have ranged from as few as 20,000 to as many as 100,000.

Nelson said Friday it was impossible to know how many people would attend.

“We’d rather plan for 80,000 and have 40,000 than plan for 40,000 and have 80,000,” he said.

Air show trouble

Dole organizers have to look no further than Topeka to see what happens when traffic plans don’t work.

Last September’s Family Freedom Day, which included the Wings Over Topeka air show at Forbes Field, generated lines of traffic leading to the base. An estimated 80,000 people attended, far more than had been anticipated.

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Organizers remedied the problems for this year’s event, which was in May.

Chief Master Sgt. Pete Boggs of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, one of the air show’s sponsors, said having more law enforcement officials directing traffic, more routes into Forbes Field and having bus drivers more familiar with shuttle routes helped the parking and traffic situation. He also said officials diverted traffic from some roads with traffic lights that they knew would create backups.

“It’s just like most areas,” he said. “They’re not designed to handle an event like that.”

Sgt. Mike Pattrick, spokesman for the Lawrence Police Department, said police would be on duty to help with traffic control.

“Police officers in Lawrence are not unaccustomed to large amounts of traffic, whether it’s due to game days or other festivities in town,” he said.

Spread out

Tom Mulinazzi, a KU professor and traffic engineer, said more people generally attended a KU football game than would be on West Campus at any one time during the Dole dedication events.

Officials estimate an average of 25,000 people attend KU football games. And KU officials have estimated about 20,000 attended their university open house the last two years.

“This (dedication) is spread out over three days,” Mulinazzi said. “I see no problems.”

Woosley, the city’s traffic engineer, said while there might not be major problems, drivers would see a difference on the streets. But he said he thought the shuttle plan would alleviate problems in the heart of Lawrence.

“Certainly if that many people show up, there will be congestion at peak times,” he said. “People won’t be driving around all day, but at peak times like when they’re going to eat and going back to their hotels, traffic is going to be congested. I’d compare it to a big football game.”

Donna Hultine, director of the KU parking department, said the parking lots near the Lied Center would be reserved for people with handicapped placards, and the lots near the Daisy Hill residence halls would be available for others requiring special assistance. She said lots at Memorial Stadium and east of Allen Fieldhouse would be available with shuttle service.

Though she admitted parking and traffic may be a hassle, she said the headaches would be worth it for KU.

“There will probably be people who don’t have an idea it’s going on and don’t care,” she said. “I hope people understand. It’s such a big deal and great for the university. I hope people are patient with us for those days.”