The Lawrence City Commission has approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the years 2023 – 2027 that includes a number of projects for the Lawrence Loop and area trails. The projects in the CIP serve as a plan for 2023 and roadmap for future years.

Trail Project Plans for 2023

Construction of the Lawrence Loop, Michigan to Sandra Shaw Park — This project will extend from Michigan Street, near the Kansas Turnpike, to Sandra Shaw Park near Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Land acquisition and property easement will happen this year and construction is planned for 2023. This project was identified as a priority in the Parks and Recreation master plan completed in 2017. The majority of the project funding comes from a KDOT grant.

Lawrence Loop – 8th to 7th ( Santa Fe Station) —This section of the Loop will start on 8th Street and extend to the Santa Fe Station on 7th Street. The Santa Fe Station parking lot will serve as a trail head and will be the beginning point for the mile markers that are marking the existing segments of the trail. This project was also identified as high priority in the 2017 Master Plan. Construction will take place in 2023.

Lawrence Loop – Iowa Crossing — This project will construct a grade-separated crossing for the Lawrence Loop Trail at Iowa Street. Currently, non-motorized users of the Lawrence Loop cross five lanes of vehicular traffic on Iowa Street (US Highway 59) to continue on the trail. The project will significantly improve safety at this highly utilized trail crossing. Planning will happen in 2023 and construction will take place in 2024.

Lawrence Loop Trail 7^th Street to Constant Park Kaw River Commons Phase A — This project would complete the downtown section of the trail from the Santa Fe Station to Constant Park which might include an over the river bridge to Constant Park and a platform for river viewing and access that would pass north of the Spring Hill Suites hotel and Bowerstock building. The project will include design and planning in 2023 where the details will be determined. Additional work is planned for 2024-2026. The project is currently unfunded but is being evaluated for grant opportunities.

Bike Track Iowa to 31^st — Construction of a 10-foot wide two-way concrete bicycle track on the east side of South Iowa St., adjacent to the existing sidewalk, from 31st St. to the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) Trail portion of the Lawrence Loop. The bicycle track shall be marked with a yellow center stripe, directional pavement arrows, and wayfinding signs. Where the bicycle track shares intersection pavement with motor vehicles, there shall be green pavement markings installed. This project will close the gap between the SLT section of the Lawrence Loop and the 31st St. shared use path, opening up cyclist access to this highly utilized commercial district. The safety, capacity, and operational need for bicyclists as a distinct class of transportation will be markedly improved.

Trail Project Roadmap for 2024 – 2027

Loop Spur to Downtown, Bikeway — The Parks and Recreation Department has been considering several alignments for the Lawrence Loop to continue west from the Amtrak Station.  This is one of the options. This plan would involve construction of a two-way, protected bicycle track and 10 foot pedestrian path along streets passing through downtown. The plan would reconfigure the lanes for vehicle traffic to allow for bike and pedestrian traffic. There would be pavement markings and wayfinding signs. This project is on the plan for 2024 and is currently unfunded but is being evaluated for grant opportunities.

Lawrence Loop Trail from Queens Rd to Kasold — This project would establish a concrete trail that connects the Baldwin Creek Trail at Queens Road, to Kasold Drive to help complete the Lawrence Loop Trail. This project would move us closer to completing a loop trail around Lawrence and is part of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. This Loop segment was also identified as part of the Priority Bikeway Network in the Lawrence Bikes Plan in 2019. It is envisioned that the project would be sponsored through grants.

Kaw River Commons – Phase B — The project includes a new bike/pedestrian bridge, helix and pathway that builds on Lawrence Loop Trail 7^th Street to Constant Park Kaw River Commons Phase A. The bridge would pass under Highway 24/40 bridges at Robinson Park, continuing over the existing rail corridor to Constant Park. This project is Phase B of the overall Kaw River Commons project that includes Phases A, and C  that were presented to the City Commission. The project is currently unfunded but is being evaluated for grant opportunities.

Kaw River Commons – Phase C — New bike/pedestrian bridge or bridges to be determined through staff and community input. These build on Phases A and B of the Park Kaw River Commons project. This new bridge would pass over the Kaw River to North Lawrence. This project is Phase C of the overall Kaw River Commons project that was presented to the City Commission. This work is planned for 2027 and is currently unfunded but is being evaluated for grant opportunities.

Other Noteworthy Projects

Sidewalk Pedestrian Bike Improvements — These funds are for projects across the city to build on the existing pedestrian and bicycle network. The Lawrence Multimodal Transportation Commission (MMTC) makes annual recommendations to the city for expenditures for projects to promote active modes of transportation and increase safety for people on bikes and on foot. The MMTC also creates a specific 5-year plan for non-motorized projects that reflects monies in the Capital Improvement Plan. That 5-year plan can be found at: Lawrence City Commission website

New Park Restrooms – John Taylor Park & Trails — Installation of three (3) new park restrooms – John Taylor Park and in two locations along the Lawrence Loop Trail. The locations lack public restrooms. This work is planned for 2027 and is currently unfunded.

Bicycle Wayfinding Signage — Creation of a bicycle wayfinding system to guide bicyclists to their destinations along preferred bicycle routes. Project to include creation of sign standards including: information on signs, placement of signs, and a destination hierarchy. This project would include installation of the signage upon completion of the standards. Wayfinding signage is a recommendation in the Lawrence Bikeways Plan. Planning in 2023, implementation in 2024.