City installing traffic-calming devices at intersection of Naismith Drive and Crescent Road


LAWRENCE — In anticipation of a project tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2017, the city of Lawrence is installing temporary traffic-calming devices at the intersection of Naismith Drive and Crescent Road today.

This irregular intersection is located next to the Earth, Energy & Environment Center construction site, near the location of the building that housed the former Jayhawk Bookstore, near the top of the hill.

Based on meetings with residents in the neighborhood west and north of this intersection, the city identified several options designed to improve pedestrian and traffic safety, reduce congestion and reduce traffic cutting through the neighborhood. These options are illustrated at https://lawrenceks.org/fire-medical/feedback/crescent-rd-naismith-dr/.

Based on stakeholder feedback, the city is planning to test Option D, which will channel northbound traffic to the east (toward campus), prohibit northbound left turns and prohibit traffic originating east or north of the intersection from proceeding west onto Crescent past Naismith.

The temporary devices will be affixed to the pavement in the shape of traffic islands. This will provide an opportunity for the community to try out the modified intersection and see if it is workable. The city will compare traffic counts before and after the installation as well as review accident data and other information in order to determine the effectiveness of these devices. Individuals have the opportunity to provide comments online at the link above.

Depending on the performance of these traffic-calming devices and pending approvals from the city and KU, these measures (or some modified version thereof) may be made into permanent geometric changes to the intersection as part of projects for sanitary sewer and pavement improvements at this intersection slated for the summer of 2017.

Fri, 01/20/2017

author

Joe Monaco

Media Contacts

Joe Monaco

KU Office of Public Affairs

785-864-7100