photo by: John English

A new segment of the Lawrence Loop, the trail system encircling the city, pictured the week of Aug. 7, 2022, will consist of a 10-foot-wide shared-use path with a pedestrian tunnel under McDonald Drive at the Kansas Turnpike Authority access terminal. The project is part of a larger segment of the loop that will eventually connect Michigan Street to Sandra Shaw Park. The 2022 budget estimated the total cost of that project to be about $1.49 million, a portion of which is funded by a state grant. Expenses included $525,000 in 2022 for easement and property acquisitions. A Kansas Department of Transportation grant will provide $564,000 toward construction.

The City of Lawrence is set to host a ribbon cutting for the newest complete segment of the Lawrence Loop next weekend.

The new segment runs from Peterson Road Park to Michigan Street. The ribbon cutting is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at the park, 2250 Peterson Road.

The city is inviting the public to a short ceremony at the park followed by a quarter-mile walk, bike or roll down the path to the ribbon cutting area, which will be at the west tunnel entrance under the Kansas Turnpike toll booth area. The public can walk or bike the remainder of the new section following the ribbon cutting, if desired.

The $1.9 million trail segment was primarily funded through a Federal Transportation Alternatives Grant administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Construction on this portion began in late January. Now that it’s finished, the Lawrence Loop includes a total of 19 miles of completed pathway, and another half mile is planned for construction in 2023.

Those attending the ribbon cutting by car can park at Lawrence Heights Christian Church, 2321 Peterson Road, in the parking lot near the park.