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The Jayhawk Watershed Project is focused on improving the stormwater system, which includes modernizing our outdated infrastructure and addressing the issues that cause flooding.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

April 20 – 9th St. closure extended through Mississippi Street

Beginning Monday, April 20, City contractors will extend the current 9th St. closure through Mississippi St. for the final phase of major utility work along the corridor. During this phase, Mississippi St. will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic at 9th Street.

Detour
During this work, 9th Street through traffic will continue to be detoured to 6th Street. A signed detour is posted in the area. 

Parking
To support access during construction, temporary public parking spaces on 9th Street remain available and free to use. Pedestrian access to businesses will continue using the crossings on the west side of Mississippi Street during this phase of work. A closure and parking map can be viewed below.

An additional pedestrian route along the north side of 9th Street is expected to open in late April, which will provide another access option for customers and visitors.

Updates for Lawrence Transit Route 3
Due to construction, Route 3 will not be running its regular route on 9th St. A map with route changes can be viewed below.

Northbound Route 3 heading Eastbound on 9th St will take a left on Ohio St., a right on 11th St., a right on Maine St., a left on 9th St. and back on its regular route. Stops #208 (9th & Ohio), #209(9th & Mississippi), and #210 (9th and Maine) will be closed.

Southbound Route 3 heading Westbound on 9th will take a right on Maine St., left on 11th St., left on Ohio St., a right on 9th St. and back on its regular route. Stops #343 (9th & Mississippi), #329, and will be closed. A temporary stop will be installed at 9th & Maine.

9th Street – Closures & Parking Map

Updated Route 3 Map

February 16 – 9th St. closure extends west to Mississippi St. 

Beginning Tuesday, February 17, City contractors will extend the current roadway closure west on 9th St. from Louisiana St. to Mississippi St. as crews move into the next phase of construction.

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

Parking
The City has added temporary parking along 9th Street on the east and west sides of Ohio St. This parking is free and open to anyone, and it’s intended specifically to help patrons continue visiting businesses in the area.

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