Commissioners approve agreement to launch environmental assessment for Wakarusa Drive extension

Douglas County Commissioners recently approved an engineering services agreement with HNTB Corporation to complete an environmental assessment for the Wakarusa Drive extension project at a maximum cost of $276,835. They unanimously approved the agreement during their May 13 business meeting.

The project will extend Wakarusa Drive south from Kansas Highway 10, across the Wakarusa River to Douglas County Route 5, also known as E 1000 Road. This extension project is expected to improve response times for first responders who are called to areas south and southwest of Lawrence. It is also intended to improve overall traffic and pedestrian safety by diverting traffic away the Clinton Lake dam, which is currently the connecting route.

Douglas County Public Works will present the results of the environmental assessment when they are completed, and the assessment will be available for public review and comments.

The project has been listed in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan since 2016. 

Public Works has been working with BG Consultants to review bridge locations, wetland impacts and geometric layout for intersecting roads. A screening berm is proposed along the existing golf course to minimize impacts to that facility. The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department supports the plan. 

The recommended alignment is similar to a concept shown in the 1974 Clinton Reservoir Area Comprehensive Plan. Most of the road will be located on federal property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to the City of Lawrence. 
The road will connect to existing county-maintained roads on federal property. Public Works has been working with the Corps for the last two years to obtain authorization for the new road. 

In February, the Corps determined that an environmental assessment meeting National Environmental Policy Act standards would be required to authorize the project.

What’s happened

• 2016 – Project listed in county’s Capital Improvement Plan. The City of Lawrence and county agree to split the project cost. 
• 2017-2021 – The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), City of Lawrence, and county staff plan the Wakarusa Drive/ K-10 interchange and related local road improvements. 
• June 2022 – The City of Lawrence and county provide letters of commitment to KDOT to provide local matching funds in support of the expanded South Lawrence Trafficway project. KDOT agrees to recognize the locally-funded Wakarusa Drive extension as a significant part of the $13.9 million local commitment. 
• September 2022 – Douglas County hosts a public open house to present the project concept plan and receive public comment. 
• 2023 – Public Works begins preliminary design work to identify alignments.
• March 2024 – The City of Lawrence removes the project from its CIP. The city and county execute a memorandum of understanding outlining city payments and contributions to the county to satisfy the previous funding commitment. The project is updated in the county CIP. 
• June 2024 – County hires BG Consultants to assist with preliminary engineering work, survey baselines, a wetlands assessment and identification of a preferred route. 
• October 2024 – Preferred route identified and shared with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• July 2025 – Public Works submits a formal request for Corps authorization.
• February 2026 – The Corps determines that an environmental assessment will be required.

What’s next

• May 2026 – Begin the environmental assessment phase. 
• July 2026 – Initial 30-day public comment period through the Corps.
• October 2026 – Public Works presents environmental assessment findings.
• November 2026 – County issues a request for quotation for project design services.
• December 2026 – Final authorization and approval from Corps.
• February 2027 – Survey and design work begins.
• August 2027 – Draft engineering plans available for public review. 
• December 2027 – Board of County Commissioners authorization to issue request for bids.
• January 2028 – Bid opening and award.
• April 2028 – Start of construction.
• November 2028 – Construction complete.