photo by: City of Lawrence

The city map shows the Jayhawk Watershed, outlined in blue, with areas of flooding shown in gradients of blue.

The City of Lawrence is set to host a listening session about a study of transportation safety improvements along Ninth Street, part of an ongoing project to improve the Jayhawk Watershed.

The listening session is scheduled for Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. According to a release from the city, residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the study, ask questions of the project team and provide feedback on possible safety improvements for the area of Ninth Street between Illinois and Kentucky streets.

According to a city news release, the study is part of the Jayhawk Watershed Improvement project, which will require reconstruction of portions of Ninth Street between Mississippi and Louisiana streets and an asphalt mill overlay between Illinois and Vermont streets.

The Ninth Street study will run through the spring, with design set to be complete by the end of 2024. The Jayhawk Watershed Improvement project is currently in the design phase, according to the release, and construction is planned to occur in phases during 2025 and 2026.

As the Journal-World has reported, a study of the Jayhawk Watershed completed in 2022 by JEO Consulting Group recommended four projects, estimated to cost from $23 million to $32 million total, to increase the amount of rainwater the system can handle and reduce neighborhood flooding in the area.

Next week’s listening session relates specifically to “multimodal” transportation improvements as part of that work, a type of transportation infrastructure that accounts for all types of transportation — like walking, biking, driving and riding public transit. Improvements identified as part of the study will be implemented following engagement with stakeholders and engineering analyses, per the release.

Community members can find more information about the study on the city’s website, and a second listening session is scheduled for March to provide an update to the community. People who are unable to attend but would like to learn more about the project or provide input can contact Nick Hoyt with the City of Lawrence at nhoyt@lawrenceks.org.