Traffic on 23rd Street is a mess, actually an embarrassment, and it is likely to continue this way until early fall. Because of the 23rd Street situation, other east-west routes in the southern part of the city — especially 19th Street — also are clogged.

Aggravating the problem is work on the South Lawrence Trafficway, which has closed a portion of Haskell Avenue, diverting thousands of cars and trucks that had been using 31st Street onto 23rd and other east-west streets.

Perhaps street and utility systems were such that there were few options to complete the necessary repairs in a timely fashion. However, Lawrence seems to have a knack for planning major street repairs that usually are not completed until after Kansas University classes resume for the fall semester and tens of thousands of out-of-town fans are traveling to Lawrence to see Jayhawk football games.

Now comes news of additional work on Sixth Street that will cause major disruptions for traffic seeking to access the Kansas Turnpike.

Could city officials entice contractors to speed up their work by offering attractive financial bonuses if the projects are completed ahead of schedule? How about working longer hours or even putting up lights and working into the night? This is done in many cities; why not Lawrence? Also, could more work be done on Sundays?

About the only good aspect of the situation is that each day brings motorists closer to completion of the projects and the opening of the east leg of the SLT. The number of cars traveling east on 23rd Street between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and entering Lawrence off Kansas Highway 10 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. should serve as a vivid reminder to economic development officials of how many local residents are working and/or shopping in the Kansas City area.

Traveling east and west in Lawrence always has been difficult, but the current traffic situation is perhaps the worst in years. Sure, it will be good when the projects are completed, particularly the South Lawrence Trafficway, but at least until fall, motorists are going to have to curb their tempers, drive patiently and plan ahead for long delays.