Two-way traffic finally to resume on North Second Street after eight months of detours

Traffic backs up over the Kansas River bridge Tuesday evening from downtown into North Lawrence, as reconstruction continues at the intersection of North Second and Locust streets. Because the roadblocks are scheduled to remain until March 26, the Kansas Turnpike has agreed to wait until April 5 to close its East Lawrence interchange — a move to preserve another access for emergency vehicles into North Lawrence.

For the first time in more than eight months, motorists will be able to drive north through a torn-up North Lawrence intersection without stopping, turning or otherwise wondering when the path will reopen.

The opening is expected by late afternoon Thursday, said Chuck Soules, the city’s public works director.

One lane of traffic — each way — will be open on North Second Street through the Locust Street intersection. However, no left turns will be allowed off North Second onto Locust.

But traffic inconveniences in North Lawrence aren’t over.

Beginning Monday:

• The Kansas Turnpike will close its East Lawrence interchange — Exit 204 — for seven months of reconstruction as part of an ongoing $130 million project. Blockades go up at 7 a.m. Monday.

• The Kansas Department of Transportation will reduce traffic to one lane over Mud Creek bridge along U.S. Highway 24-40, east of Lawrence Municipal Airport. The restriction will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through mid-April, then 24 hours a day through late fall, the expected completion of the $1.5 million repair project.

In Lawrence, the intersection at North Second and Locust has been closed to northbound traffic since July 30, as drivers leaving downtown have been steered onto a detour that includes Elm, North Third, Locust and Lyon streets.

The work is part of an ongoing $2.5 million reconstruction project that includes adding turn lanes, improving drainage and installing a new waterline.