The SLT Project Overview
The SLT project is focused on improving safety and mobility for the SLT Corridor and the surrounding highway system, including alleviating strain on the City of Lawrence street network. Completion of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) built upon the work performed for the EIS reevaluation within the Concept Study, with additional analysis of a range of project funding options. The Record of Decision (ROD) documented an alternative to widen the SLT to four lanes from I-70 to U.S. 59.
The SEIS reviewed the findings of the original EIS, considered the results of the West Leg Concept Study and evaluated new or additional environmental impacts based on new improvement options and/or major changes in the natural environment or communities. The SLT SEIS evaluated if – and how – upgrading the corridor to a four-lane freeway, modifying access, and exploring new funding mechanisms altered the impacts and recommendations previously identified through the 1990 EIS and 2008 East Leg EIS. The ROD determined that widening the SLT to four lanes from I-70 to U.S. 59 would best meet the purpose and need.
Final design has been completed, right of way acquisitions are underway and utilities are being relocated. A contractor has been selected for the south project and construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024. Click here to read the full press release.
Project Schedule
With the Record of Decision being issued in April of 2022, the final design for the corridor improvements can move forward.
South Project, 03: 6th Street to U.S. 59
| SOUTH PROJECT | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVITY | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1-4 | Q1-4 | Q1-4 |
| Record of Decision (ROD) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Final Design | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Plans to Traffic Engineering | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Office Check | |||||||||||||||||||
| – PS&E | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Final Plans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Final Plans to ROW | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Appraisals | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Negotiations | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Acquisitions/Relocations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plans to Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Utility Relocations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Anticipated Project Letting | |||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||||||||
| ROD received | Activity will start/happen. One day events during this timeframe. | Anticipated project letting. One day event during this timeframe. |
|---|
North Project, 02: I-70 South to 6th Street
| NORTH PROJECT | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVITY | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1-4 | Q1-4 | Q1-4 |
| Record of Decision (ROD) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Final Design | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Plans to Traffic Engineering | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Office Check | |||||||||||||||||||
| – PS&E | |||||||||||||||||||
| – Final Plans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Final Plans to ROW | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Appraisals | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Negotiations | |||||||||||||||||||
| – ROW – Acquisitions/Relocations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Plans to Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Utility Relocations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Anticipated Project Letting | |||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||||||||
| ROD received | Activity will start/happen. One day events during this timeframe. | Anticipated project letting. One day event during this timeframe. |
|---|
Improvements to West Lawrence U.S. 40 (6th Street) & K-10 Interchange
KDOT is also making improvements to the West Lawrence U.S. 40 (6th Street) and K-10 Interchange. The project will reconfigure the existing interchange into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). A DDI is an interchange that will allow traffic to cross to the opposite side of the road, making left turns easier and safer when turning onto or off K-10. The interchange will include a sidewalk with barriers down the center of the bridge to provide protection for pedestrians.
CLOSURE: Beginning Monday, June 3 (conditions permitting), U.S. 40/6th St. between the new John Wesley Dr. and George Williams Way, and all K-10 on- and off- ramps will be closed to traffic. Motorists can follow the signed detour on I-70 and K-10 or use altnerate routes that are not marked. The new DDI is scheduled to be fully open by tne end of October. Click here to read the full press release.
SLT Project Area
NORTH PROJECT: 1-70/K-10 interchange with Farmer’s Turnpike and improvements on K-1 to 6th Street
SOUTH PROJECT: K-10 from 6th Street south and east to U.S. 59 with reconstructing Wakarusa interchange
