An intersection improvement project at the 27th Street and Wakarusa Drive intersection on K-10 is expected to begin Monday, July 6, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Additionally, a mill and overlay project on K-10 is planned to begin later in the year. Work will occur in two phases and is expected to be completed in mid-October.
Phase one will include the following safety improvements at the 27th Street and Wakarusa Drive intersection:
- Adding an eastbound K-10 right turn lane to enter the sports complex
- Extending the length of the existing westbound K-10 right turn lane to enter Wakarusa Drive and 27th Street
- Adding lane assignments and pavement markings to Wakarusa Drive and restricting left turn movements from 27th Street to Wakarusa Drive
- Relocation of the crosswalk on Wakarusa further west with shorter crosswalk length, additionally, a pedestrian activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon will be installed at this relocated crosswalk location
- Additional pedestrian use signing will be added to K-10, Wakarusa Drive and 27th Street
These improvements will reduce wait times on Wakarusa Drive and eliminate the conflict point between Wakarusa Drive and 27th Street. Additionally, by adding and extending right turn lanes, operations on K-10 will be improved.
Work will occur during daylight hours and there will be some weekend and night-time closures at the intersection, as necessary. Traffic will encounter various lane closures, and a lane width restriction of 12 feet in the work area. Drivers should pay attention to signing placed in advance of each phase of work.
Phase two of the project, which is scheduled to begin mid-August or early September, will include the mill and overlay project. Work will occur from the Farmer’s Turnpike to the U.S. 59/K-10 junction, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday evenings to Saturday mornings.
Traffic will be controlled using a lane width reduction to 12 feet in the work area, speed limit signs, traffic cones and barricades. A pilot car operation will guide traffic during the night-time hours. Drivers should expect delays of about 15 minutes.
Hamm Inc., of Perry is the contractor on the $4.3 million project.
KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1. Drive safely and always wear your seat belt.
Contact: Josh Carson, Public Information Officer, Municipal Services & Operations – jcarson@lawrenceks.org | 785-832-7822