Firefighter and emergency medical technician Troy Gourley releases the flow of water from a hydrant to a new ladder truck during a training exercise in this file photo.

Come to find out, $28,000 is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

City commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting did not hesitate in approving nearly $30,000 in spending to place a fire engine and crew in North Lawrence to alleviate concerns that a major road construction project will make the area tough for emergency crews to access.

“The folks in North Lawrence have sometimes felt a little alienated from us,” said City Commissioner Aron Cromwell. “Maybe it is the river, but it is good for us to take some extra care that everyone is taken care of.”

The extra spending comes as construction crews prepare to rebuild the intersection of North Second and Locust streets, which serves as a major entrance point to North Lawrence. Commissioners over the last two weeks had heard numerous concerns from North Lawrence residents that the construction work would create significant traffic congestion that would make it tough for fire trucks and ambulances to get to homes in the area.

Fire Chief Mark Bradford previously told commissioners that his department had come up with a plan that would not require the placement of a crew in North Lawrence.

Commissioners on a 4-0 vote — Commissioner Lance Johnson was absent — said they were worried about how fire trucks would get through the intersection. The intersection will be reduced to one lane. Northbound traffic will be forced to take a detour on North Third Street that includes a busy railroad crossing.

Commissioners said they were concerned that when a train blocks traffic on the detour route that congestion would make it difficult for a fire truck coming from the downtown station to get through the intersection.

“I think this just gives that other level of safety that people need,” said City Commissioner Mike Amyx. “Everybody is right. There are times when congestion is really going to be there.”

The Fire Medical crews, however, won’t be in North Lawrence at all times. The city’s approval provides enough funding to have a crew in North Lawrence for only four hours per day — two hours during morning rush hour and two hours during evening rush hour. Crews won’t be stationed in North Lawrence on Sunday because traffic is generally lighter.

The placement of the crew will cost the city additional money because Bradford does not believe the city can safely pull a crew out of an existing station to cover North Lawrence. Instead, the city will pay firefighters overtime to staff a back-up truck that will be stationed in the area.

Preliminary plans call for the truck to be stationed at the city’s Solid Waste Annex in North Lawrence, which is just off North Third Street near the Kansas Turnpike.

The development of the emergency services plan could mean motorists will start encountering the major roadwork soon. City engineers said they are meeting with the contractor and other stakeholders on Friday. Work could begin on Monday. The project is expected to last into November.