$732 million in road projects needed by 2030 / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, February 2, 2008

February 2, 2008

Plan could improve traffic flow

It's no secret that traveling across Lawrence, especially during rush hour, can be a tricky and time consuming process. Relief could be in store, but it comes with quite a price tag. Enlarge video

Related document

T2030 Roadway System Plan ( .PDF )

The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Office will be taking public comment on Transportation 2030 through the month of February. People can comment by visiting www.lawrenceplanning. org/t2030, where a copy of the plan can be downloaded. The plan also is available at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt. People can send written comments to the Planning Department at P.O. Box 708, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Area transportation planners have identified $732 million worth of road projects needed in Douglas County between now and 2030.

The list includes all the usual suspects: a completed South Lawrence Trafficway, a widened Kansas Turnpike, and a new West Lawrence interchange for the SLT and Bob Billings Parkway.

But the list also includes a host of new projects, such as a southward extension of Wakarusa Drive and new turn lanes and other improvements for about 15 intersections on Iowa and 23rd streets.

Now, city and county leaders want the public to check the list. Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commissioners are asking for public comment on Transportation 2030, a federally mandated plan that spells out the area's top transportation needs.

"I feel like we tried to all sit down and objectively come up with a list of projects that would best serve the community," said Grant Eichhorn, chairman of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, which is responsible for approving the plan.

Among the plan's major projects:

¢ Completion of the eastern leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway on a route that would run through the Baker Wetlands. Committee members - made up representatives of the city, county and planning commissions, along with both the city and county engineers - had considered moving the route south of the Wakarusa River to avoid the wetlands. But traffic models showed the southern route would not do as much to relieve congestion on Lawrence streets. Planners have estimated the cost of the project to be $202.7 million.

¢ Expanding the existing South Lawrence Trafficway west of Iowa Street to four lanes to handle increased traffic. Estimated cost: $38.3 million.

¢ Widening of the entire stretch of the Kansas Turnpike through Douglas County to six lanes. The Kansas Turnpike Authority already has started work on portions of that project. Estimated cost: $170 million.

¢ A new interchange for the South Lawrence Trafficway where it nearly intersects with Bob Billings Parkway. The long-talked-about interchange is being billed as a new gateway for eastbound motorists wanting a direct path to the Kansas University campus. Estimated cost: included in the $38.3 million to widen the western portion of the SLT.

Intersection upgrades

But several lesser-known projects may provide more immediate relief to motorists fretting about traffic congestion, Eichhorn said. The plan calls for intersection improvements - likely medians and additional left and right turn lanes - for 13 intersections on Iowa and 23rd streets.

"I'm excited about those intersection improvements," Eichhorn said. "They are smaller cost projects and can be done a little quicker."

Traffic models clearly showed something would have to be done to Iowa and 23rd streets to prevent major traffic congestion in the future. Planners decided the intersection improvements were more prudent than widening the two roads to six lanes.

"We decided we didn't want to divide the community with these huge highways that no one would be able to get across," said Chuck Soules, the city's director of public works.

Soules said by improving the major intersections on the road, it should cut down on the amount of time it takes for cars to turn on and off the street. That will allow traffic signals to remain green for longer periods of time, he said.

The intersections slated for improvements in the plan are: Sixth, Ninth, Harvard, 15th, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 33rd, and K-10 on Iowa Street; and Kasold, Louisiana, Haskell and Harper on 23rd Street/Clinton Parkway.

The estimated cost to improve all the intersections is $24.9 million.

Looking south

The biggest additions to the plan, which federal regulators require to be updated every five years, may be the host of new projects south of the Wakarusa River.

"There's a serious recognition that the city will be expanding to the south," said Keith Browning, director of public works for Douglas County.

Among the major projects south of the Wakarusa River are:

¢ A southward extension of Wakarusa Drive to connect with County Route 458. The project also would include a new interchange with Wakarusa and the SLT. That would allow the current and much-maligned intersection near the YSI Sports Complex to be removed. Estimated cost: $18.1 million.

¢ Widening Haskell Avenue to four lanes from 23rd Street to N. 1100 Road. Estimated cost: $16.4 million.

¢ Expanding portions of N. 1100 Road east of U.S. Highway 59 and N. 1200 Road west of U.S. Highway 59 to four lanes. Estimated cost: $52.7 million.

Finding funding

The biggest question in the plan, however, is how many of these projects actually will get funded between now and 2030.

Funding is the major reason for the plan. In order for a road project to receive federal or state grant funds, it must be included on the transportation plan. But simply being on the list doesn't guarantee funding.

But Browning, the county's public work's director, said he thinks a lot of these projects have a good chance of being built. That's because the committee spent considerable time coming up with estimates of how much federal, state and local funding will be available to the county in the coming years. Browning said there's obviously a fair amount of guesswork involved, but he said the group did look hard at past funding levels the county had received.

Keeping the plan financially realistic was the major reason an eastern bypass project - which would involve an expensive Kansas River bridge - wasn't included on the list of primary projects to be completed.

"It is a meaningful plan," Browning said. "It is not just words on paper. It is fiscally constrained. It's doable."

Discussion

LJWorld.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

2 February 2008
at 9:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

maxcrabb (Anonymous) says…

So, I get the first crack at this?

“I can't wait to be arguing over the South Lawrence Trafficway for the next 30 years!”

Eh? I know.. it's early.
2 February 2008
at 9:30 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

maxcrabb (Anonymous) says…

For more refreshing literature, why not weigh the outcomes of a fight between superman and a lightsaber… I promise, the similarities are in the subtext.

http://gizmodo.com/351747/can-a-light…

It's your time folks. I just make the suggestions.
2 February 2008
at 9:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

mick (Anonymous) says…

“I'm excited about those intersection improvements,” Eichhorn said.
2 February 2008
at 10:02 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

pomegranate (Anonymous) says…

Hey!! Insstead of any new business parks or whatever by the airport, or at Farmland, we could have two big, huge casinos. One could have a great concert hall, and one a great sports arena. We could surely support two of these! Thousands of people would come, downtown would be busy to the gills, also all the big boxes.
So much money would roll in we could afford to increase the police and fire depts. by at least twice and still have cash left.
And who cares about the people and crime it may bring. We would have the money, money, money.
2 February 2008
at 10:06 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

merrill (Anonymous) says…

Get those tax increases in your brain for that is what is being suggested.

For years prior to this local study little can be done about 23rd. That has been the rule of thumb. When KU is on break 23rd is a piece of cake. Lawrence does not need the SLT. More new roads bring increases to the cost of community services such as:
* Additonal city staffing and equipment
* water and sewer lines
* streets and repairs
*houses
*public schools
* fire stations
* law enforcement manpower
*sidewalks
* snow removal
* bike trails and cross walks
* Traffic signals
* Traffic calming
* Strip Malls
* Expensive Flood Control

*In general increases the cost of community services to all taxpayers = more tax increases. Does not create new economic growth but increased tax dollar demands.
2 February 2008
at 10:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

classclown (Anonymous) says…

Widening of the entire stretch of the Kansas Turnpike through Douglas County to six lanes. The Kansas Turnpike Authority already has started work on portions of that project. Estimated cost: $170 million.

==================================

Doesn't this fall under the KTA's budget? This story appears to be about Douglas County's expenses so it makes little sense to include it

Or is this one of those things that Douglas County wanted the widening done and is paying the KTA to do the work?

Then there's the SLT. Who's paying for that? Is the dollar amount listed Douglas County's share? Or is that amount being paid by the state?
2 February 2008
at 10:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

classclown (Anonymous) says…

Or is this whole thing just a wish list of sorts that locals want/need to be done regardless of which entity pays?

2 February 2008
at 11:18 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

One day's expenditures spent blowing up Iraq would cover this whole wish list.
2 February 2008
at 11:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

simplykristib (Anonymous) says…

The south Lawrence Trafficway has been in the works for many years. I remember being a student at KU in the mid '80s when the trafficway was discussed. I see that the trafficway is done west of Iowa Street. It looks like the part east of Iowa Street is still not done. I know the problem was the wetlands.
2 February 2008
at 11:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

mytake (Anonymous) says…

Heck, I would just be happy if they would repair the roads that already exist. Lawrence streets are in terrible shape and they just keep getting worse and worse. Does anyone know if any plans are in the works to fix the current roads/streets (other than the temporary fix of filling in pot holes with asphalt)?
2 February 2008
at 12:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

KS (Anonymous) says…

The only project on that iist that will be done is the KTA. Good luck on the SLT with the Indians.
2 February 2008
at 12:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

toefungus (Anonymous) says…

I see a lot of roads to higher taxes. I would rather walk than pay more taxes.
2 February 2008
at 1:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

camper (Anonymous) says…

I hope they start phazing in concrete. It seems like we put down too much asphalt….which is torn up and replaced after only a couple of years. Concrete is a much better long-term investment.
2 February 2008
at 2:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

merrill (Anonymous) says…

Max1 no matter how roads are paid for….

Get those tax increases in your brain for that is what will still be the end result.

More new roads bring increases to the cost of community services such as:
* Additonal city staffing and equipment
* water and sewer lines
* streets and repairs
*houses
*public schools
* fire stations
* law enforcement manpower
*sidewalks
* snow removal
* bike trails and cross walks
* Traffic signals
* Traffic calming
* Strip Malls
* Expensive Flood Control

*In general increases the cost of community services to all taxpayers = more tax increases. Does not create new economic growth but increased tax dollar demands.
2 February 2008
at 5:09 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

merrill (Anonymous) says…

Max 1,

The real estate executives build more retail whether Lawrence can support it or not. They do the same with housing across the board whether or not there is a need.
Decisions in this town are not based on need.

I'd say the real estate executives and the Chamber of Commerce after 25 years of completely controlling city hall have proved they cannot produce a long term, substantial or rock solid economic growth plan for Lawrence. 25 years ago and years previous KU could still hold Lawrence together. Today that is obviously is not true.

The more new water lines are installed the more that adds to our cost of community services and the more likely the rest of the list will materialize. Vacant space without improvements cost the taxpayers nothing.

So I say don't build the roads. When or if a bypass is built 23rd street becomes the sole responsibility of Lawrence tax payers = additional drag on local tax dollars

2 February 2008
at 5:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

maxcrabb (Anonymous) says…

So I get home from work, and not ONE of you people looked at the “Superman VS a Lightsaber” article?

For shame…
2 February 2008
at 7:47 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

gccs14r (Anonymous) says…

Use the $700 million to build reliable, usable passenger rail service to Kansas City. Getting commuters off the roads will help existing roads last longer and will reduce the need for new roads.
2 February 2008
at 8:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

gccs14r:

That is probably the most ridiculous suggestion that you have ever put on the LJW boards.
3 February 2008
at 7:06 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

northtown (Anonymous) says…

Maybe that land that the Pines say they own does really belong to the Natives ,and a casino would look good setting there!!! Close enough to the race track for them??
Bring on the courts,no tax money from the city,just the feds here!!! The SLT,just something the state likes to bring up and watch Lawrence bitch about for a while,they will never build it,you will be lucky if they ever complete 59 south to the Franklin county line now,no money,no road!!
Turnpike takes care of it's self,city is just in trouble,face it ,it sucks to live in a town,or so called city with no real work or anything to offer,just another college dive,bars and poor eating joints,take a long look,and one Merril telling you how it is going to be,what a dreamer,or a idiot,take your pick???
Lawrence is doomed!!!!!!!!!!! Just a college town!!!