The Flame – March 2013

In this month’s issue…

2013 Construction Projects

Summer Construction Season will Affect Major Routes

The City of Lawrence spends millions of dollars each year toward street maintenance and infrastructure. On average, over $5 million in city funding is provided annually to projects that address street conditions including milling and overlay, road reconstruction, microsurfacing and curb and gutter replacement. In 2013 alone, the city will use a combination of municipal bonds, sales tax funds, state and federal funding, benefi t district funds, city ad valorem taxes and other city-specific funds to complete over $22.3 million in street maintenance and infrastructure projects.

As a community, Lawrence residents have rated street maintenance and quality infrastructure as the top priority – and the city has listened to those requests. Every year, the city sets out a program for maintenance that uses a combination of tools to prevent and slow down further deterioration of the roadways. The program has been successful so far with the latest data from the Pavement Condition Index showing overall positive movement across the city’s 812-lane miles.

For the summer of 2013, motorists will want to be aware of the following major projects included in the overall maintenance program. For complete project information, visit www.lawrenceks.org/construction.

Project Details Timeline Cost
Iowa Street from Harvard to Irving Hill Overpass Reconstruct entire roadway, including the intersection of 15th/Bob Billings Parkway (BBP) and Iowa Street. North/south traffic will be allowed on Iowa Street but traffic will be down to one lane at times. Center turn lane added on Iowa. East/west traffic at the Iowa/15th Street intersection not allowed May 21 to August 16. February to December 2013 $6.6 million
Bob Billings Parkway – Crestline to Kasold (east bound lanes only) Reconstruct eastbound lanes of BBP from Kasold to Crestline. Shared use path added from Crestline to Kasold to allow for walking/biking on south side of the roadway. Through traffic will not be allowed at times on eastbound lanes since the intersection at Iowa and 15th Street will be closed to east/west traffic. Mid-May to August 2013 $1.2 million
Iowa/6th Street Turn Lane Construct dedicated westbound left turn lane for traffic traveling south to Iowa from 6th Street. Sidewalks added along 6th Street on the south side of the street. Generally, two east/ westbound lanes available during construction. Mid-May to mid- August 2013 $900,000
9th Street – Tennessee to Kentucky Add a two-way center turn lane on 9th Street between Tennessee and Kentucky and replace signals at 9th & Tennessee. Fall 2013 $440,000
Wakarusa at Bob Billings Parkway Wakarusa, north and south of the intersection of BBP, reconstructed with the roadway widened and bike lanes added. Wakarusa and BBP intersection closed to north/southbound traffic. East/westbound traffic maintained on BBP through the intersection. Mid-May to mid- August 2013 $1 million
23rd and O’Connell Road Add a traffic signal at 23rd Street and O’Connell Road to increase safety and ease of access to the Farmland site. Project also includes geometric improvements including a westbound left turn lane and adding turn lanes on the north approach to the intersection. Two lanes of east/ west traffic available during construction. April to June 2013 $1 million

Lawrence to Celebrate Earth Day

The 13th Annual Earth Day Celebration in South Park, hosted by the city’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. The day starts with a parade, hosted by KU Environs, at 11:00 a.m. on Massachusetts Street from Seventh Street to South Park. All activities are free and open to the public. The Earth Day Celebration will feature:

  • April Showers to Water Towers: A Water Festival for Douglas County hosted by the city’s Stormwater Division.
  • Tree I.D. tours hosted by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Alternative fuel fleet vehicles on display.

The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides on the T all day Saturday, April 20, providing the experience and benefits of public transportation on all fi xed routes. To get help planning a route or for more information, call (785) 864-4644 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org.

For more information, please call (785) 832-3030 or visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org.

Spring Events Planned that Focus on Reducing, Reusing and Recycling

Spring Cleaning?

The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts hazardous waste from Douglas County households year round on an appointment only basis. Please call (785) 832-3030 to schedule a drop off appointment. There is no fee to Douglas County households.

Waste is classified as hazardous if it has one of the following characteristics: ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic. Common household hazardous items may include pesticides, paints and varnishes; paint thinners and other solvents; motor oil, antifreeze and other automobile fluids; household cleaners, polishes and waxes; wood preservatives, photo and hobby chemicals; fluorescent lamps, pool chemicals and batteries. Each of these products may pose a threat to sanitation workers or public health and the environment when improperly handled or disposed.

Compost and Woodchip Sales this Spring

This spring the city will hold the following compost and woodchip sales at the city’s Wood Recovery and Composting Facility located at 1420 E. 11th Street which is east of 11th and Haskell Avenue, over the railroad tracks.

SELF-LOAD ONLY Compost and Woodchip Sale – Saturday, March 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ($10 per truck load; small quantities free; bring a shovel).

Compost Sale – Thursday through Saturday, April 4, 5, 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or until the supply is depleted (city will load trucks and trailers; $10 per bucket load/two cubic yards).

Woodchip Sale – Thursday through Saturday, April 11, 12, 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or until the supply is depleted (city will load trucks and trailers; $10 per bucket load/two cubic yards).

The sales will be held rain or shine. CASH only. Compost and woodchips are not intended for commercial applications but rather for the citizens of Lawrence. Dump truck quantities are not allowed. The city cannot load trucks with ladder racks.

For more information about the compost and woodchip sales, visit www.lawrenceks.org/wrr.

Wood Debris/Brush Drop-Off

Lawrence residents may drop off wood debris and brush on Saturdays starting April 20 through November 16 from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. at the city’s Wood Recovery and Composting Facility located at 1420 E. 11th Street. The fee is $5 per truckload. CASH only.

Drug Take Back Day

April 27, 2013 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Do you have expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs? Dispose of them for free with help from the Lawrence Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. This service is anonymous and no questions asked.

Drop off prescriptions at:

Douglas County Courthouse
1100 Massachusetts
Lawrence Police Department
4820 Bob Billings Pkwy.

www.lawrenceks.org/police