In this issue:
- Maintenance program improves overall quality of streets
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Curbside Yard Trimmings Collection Begins in March
- Annual Spring Compost Sale set for March 18, 19 & 20
Maintenance program improves overall quality of streets
Since 2005, the City of Lawrence has used a specialized Pavement Management Program to analyze, rate and determine the future needs for the city’s streets, curbs and gutters. Every year, approximately one-quarter of the city’s streets are inventoried, inspected and given a rating based on the visual street condition. The rating, called a Pavement Condition Index or PCI, is a value from zero to 100. Currently, the overall average PCI for all streets in Lawrence is 70.28. This overall PCI is nearly 2% higher than the initial 2005 scores.
“Since beginning this program, we’ve seen slowed deterioration rates and improved overall PCI rates for all 805 lane miles in Lawrence,” said Charles Soules, director of public works.
The city classifies each street in one of three categories – arterial, collector or residential. Arterial streets are main thoroughfares, such as Clinton Parkway. A collector street is classified as a street that collects traffic from the residential streets, such as Lawrence Avenue. Residential streets are those found in residential neighborhoods. The city has set a critical point for each type of street and works to ensure no street falls below the set levels. The city aims to maintain arterial streets to a level of 65 or above, collector streets to a level of 60 or above and residential streets to a level of 55 or above. In the latest survey, arterial streets scored an average PCI of 71.2; collector streets scored 72.5 and residential streets scored 69.6.
There are several components that contribute to how a street is selected for the various types of maintenance treatments. The city’s public works staff considers the current condition of the curb and gutters, citizen input, pavement condition, maintenance work history and recommendations from city engineers prior to developing annual maintenance program proposals. Various methods are used for maintaining the streets. Examples include crack sealing, micro surfacing, mill and overlay, and curb and gutter repair. These maintenance methods are completed by using both in-house and contracted crews.
Each year, the City Commission approves a street maintenance program that includes numerous repair projects for the city. For 2010, $5.1 million has been allocated for street maintenance projects in Lawrence. The 2010 Street Maintenance Program will balance daily maintenance activities, planned preventative maintenance and annual investments in street infrastructure, to improve the overall quality of roadways.
Kasold Drive, from 6th to Peterson Road, has been selected as a project that will be completed in 2010 utilizing sales tax funding for street maintenance. The work proposed on this project includes partial to full depth asphalt replacement, some curb and gutter replacement, installation of sidewalks along the east side of Kasold, and the incorporation of a shared bike lane along the project area. For 2009, the selected sales tax project was the rehabilitation of 9th Street from Tennessee to Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a pothole?
Potholes can be reported to our pothole hot-line by calling 832-3456 or by filling out a form at our web site, lawrenceks.gov/request-services.
What information should I provide when reporting a pothole?
The more information you can provide, the better we are able to make a speedy repair. Providing information such as the exact address, location and size of pothole are helpful.
How long does it take to repair a pothole?
The city has a goal of repairing reported potholes within 48 hours. In addition, street maintenance crews regularly look for and report potholes when noticed.
Curbside Yard Trimmings Collection Begins in March
Remember to use cans, carts or compostable bags for set out
The City of Lawrence’s curbside yard trimmings collection program will begin on Monday, March 1 (weather permitting). This program is available for all residents who utilize the city’s trash service.
If you do not mulch mow or compost your yard trimmings at home, or simply have too much to manage, the City of Lawrence will pick them up on Monday mornings, March through mid-December (except on holidays). Materials should be set out by 6:00 a.m. on Monday mornings in a can, cart or compostable paper bag.
Small, woody debris may be placed at the curb on Mondays with yard trimmings for composting. Place in cans, carts or compostable paper bags and make sure debris does not extend more than one-foot above the container opening.
Chapter 9 of the City Code prohibits the use of plastic bags to contain grass and leaves. Please note that grass and leaves are NOT collected with regular household trash when separate Monday collection is available.
Backyard composting bins are available for sale to Lawrence residents receiving residential trash service from the city. Bins are $40 each, limit one per household. Call (785) 832-3030 to reserve yours.
For more information regarding the city’s efforts to provide services for waste reduction and recycling, visit lawrenceks.gov/wrr.
What are acceptable set out containers?
Cans – Give your trash can double-duty. Fill empty cans with grass and leaves over the weekend, and use as your set out container for Monday collection. After Monday’s yard trimmings collection, use the can for your regular trash collection.
Carts – No refuse containers should weigh more than 65 pounds each, unless it is a wheeled City cart. Wheeled carts may also be given double-duty as a yard trimmings and trash container. Rental of
City carts is $2.00 per month and may be arranged by calling the Solid Waste Division at (785) 832-3032.
Compostable Paper Bags – Compostable yard waste bags are b, double-ply paper bags with a “wet strength” meant specifically for yard trimmings. They are usually 30 gallons capacity and sold in packs of five, available at local retailers.
Annual Spring Compost Sale set for March 18, 19 & 20
The City of Lawrence will host the annual Spring Compost Sale for Lawrence residents on the following dates:
Thursday, March 18, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 19, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 20, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The compost sale may close early if supply is depleted. The compost sale will take place at the City’s Wood Recovery and Composting Facility, located at 1420 E. 11th Street, east of 11th and Haskell, over the railroad tracks.
Citizens may either load their own material or have it loaded by tractor into pick-ups and small trailers. The city cannot load trucks with ladder racks. The cost of the compost will be $10.00 per truckload (more for larger trucks or trailers) and free for all self-loaders. Cash only, please. If you intend to self-load material, please bring your own shovel and containers. This compost is not intended for commercial applications, but rather for the citizens of Lawrence. Dump truck quantities are not allowed.
Through the compost program and other city programs, over 13,000 tons of yard trimmings were diverted from the landfill in 2009, which resulted in a savings of over $245,000 in avoided landfill costs. For more information on the compost sale, call the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at (785) 832-3030.