11th Street and Louisiana St. Improvements Project

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PROJECT UPDATE: We are excited to announce the early completion of the 11th St. & Louisiana St. Improvements Project. Click here to read our news release.

Project Overview

The 11th St. Louisiana St. Improvements Project is a street improvement project for 11th St. from Indiana St. to Ohio St. and Louisiana St. from 11th St. to 12th St. The improvements will include total street reconstruction, storm and sanitary sewer rehabilitation, waterline replacement, Transit amenities, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities.

View the Project Phasing Map (PDF)
View the 11th St. Louisiana St. Improvements Interactive Story Map

Project Background

Background –

The two street segments of 11th St from Indiana St to Ohio St and Louisiana St from 11th St to 12th St are in need of infrastructure upgrades:

The existing pavement is in bad condition (repeated pavement repairs in the past have provided temporary solutions for bus traffic; emergency repairs have required significant bus reroutes)
The waterline is aging
There is a lack of storm sewer structures in the area
The sanitary sewer needs to be replaced and realigned to allow proper maintenance
Sidewalks that are not ADA compliant (for the project, ADA sidewalks will be added to 11th St. going east. These sidewalks will help pedestrians mitigate hazards)
The street does not have bicycle facilities (that segment of 11th St is listed as a future bikeway street in the City’s Transportation Plan)

Through the Connected City Outcome Area of the Strategic Plan, the City of Lawrence has committed to providing well-maintained, functional, and efficient infrastructure, facilities, and other assets. Connectivity supports accessible, sustainable methods for safely moving people and information throughout the community and the region. Investment in these assets reflects the City’s commitment to contribute to the well-being of all people. In response to those goals, this reconstruction project of those two street segments is in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for construction in 2024. The improvements on this project will include total street reconstruction, storm and sanitary sewer rehabilitation, waterline replacement, Transit amenities, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities.

Construction and Project Schedule

Construction

Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) was selected to provide engineering services for this project. PEC developed multiple conceptual design alternatives for incorporating bicycle and pedestrian facilities into the project and presented the alternatives to the MMTC on December 5, 2022. The MMTC recommended design option includes two buffered bike climbing lanes along 11th Street and a new sidewalk on the south side of 11th Street.

The construction is anticipated to start in Q2 of 2024 and complete by the end of the same year (2024).

Construction Schedule and Phasing –

View the Project Phasing Map (PDF)

The construction schedule for the 11th & Louisiana Street Improvement Project is compressed to minimize disruption to adjacent owners and the University of Kansas. Tentatively, construction is anticipated to begin on Phase 1 in Spring 2024. The project will be phased to allow access to student housing for the 2024 Spring and Fall academic semesters. Phase 2 construction is anticipated to begin at the intersection of 11th & Louisiana during the University’s 2024 summer break. Phase 3 construction on Louisiana is scheduled to begin on August 5 and end in Winter 2024. Advanced notices will be provided to all surrounding residents and businesses about construction activities and access impacts and detours.

Community Engagement

Open House – Carnegie Building (Heritage Room) – October 24 – 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

The Lawrence community is invited to an open house for the 11th Street Louisiana St. Improvements Project from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on October 24 at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. 9th St. Lawrence, KS. At this open-house style of meeting, people are free to come and go as they please to best accommodate their busy schedules. The project team will be available to review project information, plans, answer questions about the project, and receive feedback from community members.