At the risk of tempting fate, Lawrence residents should applaud the effort of city officials and contractors to complete the rebuilding of a stretch of Kasold Drive well ahead of schedule.

The project, which began last August, was due to be complete by mid October. Now – knock on wood – the city’s public works director says the street is expected to be finished and open by the end of July. Contractors were aided by favorable fall weather, he said, and encouraged by incentives that will pay them an additional $100,000 for completing the project ahead of schedule.

That’s great news for people who regularly travel Kasold between Bob Billings Parkway and 22nd Street. A 20 mph speed limit had been strictly enforced on the stretch which carried just one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the construction. Making left turns at Bob Billings Parkway was confusing and hazardous in addition to causing traffic backups.

The reward for drivers’ patience will be a new flatter four-lane road with a 40 mph speed limit and a new wide sidewalk and without the potholes that have been a Kasold staple.

And three months ahead of schedule! In the world of street construction, it doesn’t get much better than that. Thanks for the great work. Let’s hope it sets a speedy standard for other street and bridge work in the area.