Plans for construction of the downtown section of the Lawrence Loop are starting to emerge in public view.

A feasibility study by Trekk Group, commissioned by the city, calls for an alignment along 7th and New Hampshire Streets, then passing by city hall, and finally and crossing underneath the bridges into North Lawrence. It would connect to the existing sidewalk along 6th Street on the west side of the bridges to create a connection to Constant Park.

The project would be primarily funded through a $1.2 million Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant awarded to Lawrence by the Kansas Department of Transportation, who manages the TA grant program in the state. Like any plan, there are both positive and negative features.

FLAT has long advocated for a trail that would avoid on-grade crossings at the 6th and Massachusetts intersection. Therefore, we are happy to see an “under the bridge” solution being presented. FLAT also believes having the trail pass behind city hall (on the north side), one of the options presented, seems like the optimal approach.

FLAT is concerned about the selection of an alignment along existing roadways (7th Street and New Hampshire Street) that would create multiple conflict points with automobile traffic in an area where “vulnerable roadway users” (often pedestrians and cyclists) have experienced the majority of serious and fatal crashes, according to the draft of the city’s own Bikeway Plan.

Many reports and plans (including the draft bikeway plan and FLAT’s 2026 “Trails for Everyone Report”) emphasize that city residents desire to see a trail system that is largely separated from existing roadways to maximize comfort and promote safety.

The plan also does not address the need for trail users to use an at-grade crossing of the railroad, at an unsignalized crossing, to continue from downtown into Burcham Park, via Constant Park.

There are still many questions to be answered as the city works to finalize a plan.