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The Jayhawk Watershed Project is focused on improving the stormwater system, which includes modernizing our outdated infrastructure and addressing the issues that cause flooding.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.

Project Phasing & Timeline

Construction for the Jayhawk Watershed Project began 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 – Updated November 2025 (PDF)

The Jayhawk Watershed project will be split into several phases, with ongoing work in the Old West Lawrence neighborhood, additional work on 9th St., and a future project south of 9th St. Throughout this project, traffic control and street closures will change intermittently. 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.

Traffic Impacts, Road Closures, & Property Access

December 1 – One block of 9th St. to close from Indiana St. to Louisiana St.

• Read the full release here: 9th St. work for Jayhawk Watershed to begin December 1

Beginning December 1, the block of 9th St. between Indiana St. and Louisiana St. will be fully closed to traffic. Business access will remain open during this time, and customers will continue to have access to all businesses in the area. This phase of the 9th St. closure is anticipated to last into Spring 2026. Then, in early 2026, this work will extend west to Mississippi St. as crews continue utility and drainage improvements.

Detour
During this phase, through-traffic will be detoured to Iowa St., to 6th St., then to Kentucky St.

Parking
No on-street parking will be available during construction on this block. Parking will be available in the surrounding area as designated. Updated parking maps and access information will be provided and updated as available.

Updates for Lawrence Transit
During this construction, Route 3 will deviate to 11th St. between Ohio St. and Mississippi St. before returning to the regular 9th Street route. A map of the Route 3 Reroute can be found below.

Temporary bus stops will be added near Ohio and Mississippi for access to 9th Street locations. This routing minimizes stop closures and prioritizes safety. For more details visit Alerts – Lawrence Transit.

9th St. Road Closure Map

Lawrence Transit Route 3 Reroute Map