Construction for the Jayhawk watershed project is set to begin Monday, March 24, starting with removing parking and closing one lane of Tennessee from Sixth to Seventh Street.
As the work continues into April, the lane closure will expand further south toward Ninth Street; then, the project team will reduce eastbound Sixth Street to one lane at Tennessee Street, according to a traffic update from the City of Lawrence.
The watershed project aims to deal with flooding in key areas, such as low-lying streets and alleys between West Eighth and Ninth streets, the intersection of Ninth and Indiana streets and the alleys north of Ninth Street between Tennessee and Indiana streets, according to info from the city. It will require workers to dig a 20-foot-deep trench along parts of Indiana and Ninth streets.
Lawrence city commissioners in October approved reconfiguring Ninth Street to three lanes from four between Illinois and Kentucky streets as part of the project.
The plan aims to enhance safety and accessibility for all modes of transportation, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. It includes wider bike lanes with physical buffers to make cycling safer and a wider parking lane to improve ease of parking and maintain traffic flow.
The city plans a full closure of Tennessee Street in late April. Work will start on Ninth and Mississippi streets in early May, according to the update.
The city anticipates the multiphase project will last through the end of 2026, pending weather or other delays.
Here’s a tentative map of the project phases:
Jayhawk-Watershed-Phasing-Map-rLearn more on the project website at this link.
The city also plans to close the intersection of Belle Haven Drive and West 29th Street from Monday, March 24 through mid-April for storm pipe and inlet replacements.
In addition, Lynn Street will be closed between Bullene and Haskell avenues from Monday through mid-April for new subdivision work, according to the update. “The contractor will ensure that access to businesses on Lynn St. will not be impacted.”
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August Rudisell/Lawrence TimesLane reductions, road closures set to begin for Jayhawk watershed project in Lawrence
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