Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
FROM:	David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer
CC:	Charles Soules, P.E., Public Works Director
DATE:	January 28, 2014
RE:	2014 KDOT Transportation Alternatives Application Hobbs Park to Constant Park - Shared-use path connector project

Background on Transportation Alternatives Program

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is receiving applications for use of funds through the federal Transportation Alternatives program. Transportation Alternatives is the new program name under the federal transportation bill MAP-21, this program was previously referred to as "Transportation Enhancements" under past bills. KDOT is now calling for submittals every two years and has $11 million in TA funding to award for 2013/2014.

Projects eligible for funding must fall under one of three specified categories: 1) Bicycle and Pedestrian, 2) Historic, or 3) Scenic and Environmental. The minimum local match for participation is twenty percent (20%) of the project cost. Projects with a higher percentage of a local match have a greater chance to be awarded.

The deadline for submitting project applications is February 14, 2014.

Recommended Project for 2014 Application

City staff has received overwhelming support to extend the shared-use path at the north end of the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail (a 2009 Transportation Enhancement project) from Hobbs Park near 11th & Haskell to Constant Park at 6th & Kentucky (see attached map). The extension would add over 5500 LF of 10' wide concrete path to the existing network, with the future goal to provide a loop around Lawrence.

An overview of the proposed route of shared-use path from south to north:

• The proposed path would extend through Hobbs Park from north end of Burroughs Creek Rail Trail to 10th & Delaware
• Path would extend north on east side of Delaware to 9th Street - fronting a future residential loft development being proposed (Del 9 Lofts)
• Path continues on east side of Delaware from 9th Street to 8th Street using a section of shared-use path installed in 2012 with the Delaware Street project completed in conjunction with the Poehler project. This section will provide direct access to the Warehouse Arts District
• Path continues on NW alignment south of BNSF railway on right-of-way to be donated by the owner
• Path will run in front of BNSF train depot and a trail head parking lot will be constructed east of the depot concurrent with this project. The parking lot was originally intended to be constructed with the depot restoration but was not eligible to be funded with the project.
• Proceeding north and west the path winds around the south side of the Riverfront Park garage continuing in front of City Hall.
• The safest route to Constant Park from City Hall would be to route the path underneath the Massachusetts Street and Vermont Street river bridges, which will also present an opportunity to construct a scenic river overlook from the connection to Robinson Park. This section would be contingent on receiving approval of right-of-way use from the BNSF railroad and include a retaining wall. KDOT has expressed some interest in shoring up erosion problems underneath these bridges and the retaining wall would solve the problem.
• The path construction would end with the tie-in to the existing path through Constant Park that ends at 5th & Tennessee. Future improvements would continue the path west.

Letters of Support

City staff anticipates receiving letters of support from neighborhoods benefiting from the construction of this path and staff has already received letters of support from the following:

• Lawrence-Douglas County MPO approved a resolution of support
• Sunflower Rail-Trail Conservancy, Inc.
• LiveWell Lawrence
• Sustainability Action Network
• Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Lawrence/Douglas County Sustainability Coordinator

Project Cost

The estimated construction cost of the project including the trail head at the BNSF railroad and easements is $750,000. The city would provide design costs in-kind at an approximate cost of $100,000. Staff is recommending a (thirty-three percent) 33% match of construction cost totaling $250,000. Douglas County which is the property owner of Robinson Park has also agreed to contribute $10,000 to the project.

Action Request

Direct staff to submit Transportation Alternatives application for Hobbs Park to Constant Park - Shared-use path connector project.