photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Iowa St. is pictured on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Construction work has been underway on Iowa Street, and residents can expect ongoing lane closures and utility work in the coming weeks.

The work began on the reconstruction of Iowa Street in February, after the project was delayed due to very cold weather this winter, Senior Project Engineer Aaron Parker with the City of Lawrence told the Journal-World. The project spans from 23rd Street to Irving Hill Road.

Parker told the Journal-World via email that the project is 10% complete, and it is still on schedule to be finished by the end of 2025, barring any major delays from weather or other issues. The Iowa Street project includes adding new concrete pavement, curbs and gutters and a new sidewalk on the east side between 19th Street and Irving Hill Road; replacing aging water lines; improving storm sewer drainage; and upgrading streetlights with underground power, as the Journal-World reported.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The intersection of Iowa St. and 19th St. is pictured on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Parker said in an email that the contractor planned to carry out as much work as possible during the summer when classes at the University of Kansas are not in session. To reduce disruptions, the city will ensure at least one lane in each direction remains open at all times. However, residents should expect occasional lane closures and sidewalk detours throughout the duration of the project.

“By next week, the contractor will begin reconstructing utilities and the west side of Iowa St. starting at 23rd St. and moving north,” Parker said. “… While the west side is being reconstructed, Iowa St. will be restricted to two lanes one each direction. The contractor will then flip to reconstruction on the east side of Iowa St. with a similar restriction to lanes.”

He said that traffic signal timing has been adjusted in order to accommodate the new traffic patterns.

In the next one to two months, Becker Drive at Iowa Street will be closed for a period of time, Parker said. Additionally, the west side of 19th Street will be closed for a while in the summer. Parker added that the east side of 19th Street will be restricted for reconstruction for a period during the summer but will allow access to and from Iowa Street. 21st Street will be closed for reconstruction for a period in the fall. The durations of the intersection closures have yet to be determined, and they will depend on weather and other factors.

The city offers weekly traffic updates on its website at lawrenceks.org/news/mso/weekly-traffic-report.