Jayhawk Watershed

Project Goals & New Improvements

The Jayhawk Watershed Project is focused on improving the stormwater system, which includes modernizing our outdated infrastructure and addressing the issues that cause flooding. Using community feedback and data from rainfall models, the City has developed a plan that will bring a host of vital improvements to the area, including:

• A reconfiguration of 9^th Street from 4 lanes to 3 lanes from Illinois Street to Vermont Street;
• Installing wider bike lanes and wider parking spaces along 9^th Street;
• Updating sidewalks to meet ADA accessibility;
• Installing a pedestrian hybrid beacon or Hawk (PHB) at 9^th Street and Louisiana Street;
• Installing new stormwater infrastructure to significantly reduce flooding, prevent property damage, and improve drainage;
• Replacing various sanitary sewers and water mains all along the project;
• Implementation of traffic calming along 8^th Street between Illinois Street and Indiana Street;

The project will enhance safety, reduce property damage risk, and provide long-term, sustainable solutions to stormwater management in the Jayhawk Watershed.

Traffic Impacts, Road Closures, & Property Access

Construction for the Jayhawk Watershed Project will begin in late-March 2025.

Our Planning & Phasing Process:
As we began planning this vital work for the Jayhawk Watershed years ago, the City recognized an opportunity to combine the construction work of this project and several others together instead of tackling multiple overlapping projects in this area at different times. By strategically choosing to complete these various projects at the same time, we are ensuring that we only disrupt the area once.

This “corridor” approach allows us to be more efficient, reduce long-term inconveniences, and provide a better level of service to residents and businesses! While the temporary impacts to traffic will be noticeable, this coordinated effort ensures a stronger, more streamlined infrastructure improvement project that will greatly benefit our local residents and businesses.

Additionally, over the past year, our project team has coordinated with the University of Kansas, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, KU Athletics, KU Engineering, and other stakeholders to phase this project in a way that minimizes impacts during large City events such as KU graduation, KU football games, 2026 World Cup, downtown events, and more.

Project Phasing:

• Project Phasing Map (PDF)

The Jayhawk Watershed project will be split into four phases, starting from the Kansas River to the intersection of 9th and Indiana Streets, with the first phase expected to last approximately 18-24 months. Business owners, residents, and daily commuters should expect significant traffic changes and temporary closures throughout the project’s timeline.

How We Work to Minimize Impacts for All:
The City is committed to maintaining access to local businesses. We ask for your patience and understanding whenever temporary disruptions to parking and delivery access may occur. However, residents and businesses in the area should anticipate delays and potential detours during construction.

The City will maintain access to at least one of the sidewalks along 9^th Street during construction. For the duration of the project, bicyclists will be detoured to 7^th Street. Our project plans include a signage plan to better direct customers to businesses when a business’s 9^th Street access is impacted.

Next Steps & Timeline

We are working with our consultants to finalize the design plans for the project. Construction will begin in March 2025 and is anticipated to end in late-2026.

Community Engagement

We’ve ventured out into the community to hear your thoughts, opinions, and feedback about our work and our scheduling. Check out some of our community engagement events for this project by clicking the links below.

• Jayhawk Watershed Community Engagement Page
• 9th St. Multimodal Improvements Study Community Engagement Page