The city’s planned reconstruction of Kasold Drive in southwest Lawrence is set to begin this spring.

The project no longer is scheduled for construction beginning in early 2011, as had been indicated as recently as Friday by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Turns out the job is set to go to bid this coming April, which could lead to a contractor being hired in time for construction to begin in May.

Chuck Soules, the city’s director of public works, had seen KDOT documentation last week indicating that the state wouldn’t be ready to entertain offers from contractors until February 2011. The project calls for rebuilding Kasold, from Clinton Parkway to 31st Street.

For months Soules has envisioned starting the project in the spring, prompting him to call KDOT first thing Monday morning to see if his concept could become reality.

“I wasn’t worried,” Soules said. “I just wanted to make sure.”

Soules heard the confirmation he needed: KDOT indeed intends to review offers from contractors in April. Construction would be possible once contracts get signed, likely by the end of May.

Preliminary plans for the project will be sent to Topeka later this week for review, Soules said. He’s hoping the bid opening might be moved up even more, into February or March.

“Our thought is, the earlier the better,” he said.

Actual construction could last anywhere from six months to a year, or maybe more, he said. That depends on whether crews would be required to keep a lane open in each direction on Kasold during construction.