Water line renovations confusing motorists in downtown Lawrence

Water line renovations in downtown Lawrence are causing confusion for drivers – resulting in at least one traffic ticket issued this week.

“I was so confused when I got up here: I thought I was doing right by turning right and I wasn’t expecting a $102 ticket,” said Shirlee Beckner, who received her citation after making an illegal right turn at Seventh and Massachusetts streets. “I don’t want to pay this.”

Traffic is reduced to one westbound lane on Seventh Street between New Hampshire and Massachusetts streets. But drivers have been barreling east down the one-way street, resulting in several near-misses.

Adding to the confusion, drivers heading west on Seventh Street are prohibited from turning left, or south, onto Massachusetts, while drivers headed east on Seventh Street from Vermont Street can’t turn right onto Massachusetts. That’s where Beckner ran into trouble.

Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen said it’s important to be cautious while workers finish the last portion of this summer’s downtown water-line project.

“You see the signs, you need to slow down,” he said. “You need to watch where you turn; you need to especially watch pedestrians in downtown Lawrence.”