The City of Lawrence was awarded $1,036,971 from the Kansas Department of Transportation as part of its Spring 2020 Cost Share Program. This award requires the City matching 25% of construction and 100% of design.
“I am really excited our City was awarded this grant as the project will benefit the users of numerous recreational facilities,” Senior Project Engineer Jake Baldwin said.
The award, which is overseen by the Municipal Services & Operations Department, will be used to install a 5,300 linear-foot paved roadway connecting existing segments of West 27th Street on both the east and west sides of the Clinton Lake Reservoir emergency spillway. This will create a continuous roadway from the K-10/US Highway 40 and 27th Street intersection to East 902 Road at the Mutt Run Off-Leash Dog Park. The new segment will include a 24-foot wide roadway as well as a 10-foot wide shared-use path. In addition, this project will provide a much-needed rear access to the Youth Sports Complex.
“Our economic recovery won’t wait on the red tape, KDOT is committed to doing all we can to cut through it to provide timely transportation investments,” Secretary Julie Lorenz said. “We can expedite the delivery of projects and still be collaborative with our local partners.”
The project takes aim at resolving a two key issues for Lawrence residents. First, the roadway would provide more direct access to the City’s Mutt Run Dog Park and Eagle Bend Golf Course, as well as the recreational opportunities provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Clinton Lake Outlet Park. Second, the project would improve access to the Youth Sports Complex, which is managed by the City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department. Currently, there is only one entrance/exit to the facility, via the K-10/27th Street intersection. This roadway would add a second access point, ideally eliminating long wait times to exit the facility.
“This is great news for alleviating congestion to and from the park,” Director of Parks & Recreation Derek Rogers said. “Safety is paramount and improvements to this area will only assist in helping travelers to and from the complex and park and trail areas. We will need to make some changes to the dog park configuration, but it will only add to the overall safety of the area.”
KDOT awarded more than $20 million to 24 projects as part of the department’s larger Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), a 10-year program, approved by the 2020 Kansas Legislature and signed off by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, to address infrastructure needs across the state. The City Commission will consider approving the award at an upcoming meeting, after KDOT provides the City with an award agreement.
Contact: Josh Carson, Public Information Officer, Municipal Services & Operations – jcarson@lawrenceks.org | 785-832-7822
