Weekly Traffic Update: August 7, 2026
Iowa Street maintenance work to move to 9th Street ahead of schedule
Beginning next week, City contractors will remove traffic control along Iowa Street from 6th Street to Harvard Road as the project nears completion ahead of schedule. Traffic control will be moved to the intersection of 9th Street and Iowa Street to finish maintenance work along 9th Street.
The City anticipates this project to end September 4, pending weather or other delays.
Update for Bob Billings Parkway project
Community members have noticed reduced construction activity in recent weeks while traffic impacts remain in place. During construction, the project team identified an unforeseen issue involving the planned wall near the limestone ledge west of Alvamar Drive. This issue needed to be resolved before certain work can move forward in that area.
During this time, the paving sub-contractor moved to other contract obligations for the season temporarily. Now, these crews have returned and will continue work on the eastbound lanes of Bob Billings Pkwy. The City anticipates this work to be completed by the end of August, pending weather or other delays.
After the eastbound lanes are completed, crews will switch traffic control to begin work on the westbound lanes. The City anticipates this westbound lane work to be completed by the end of this year, pending weather or other delays.
We appreciate the patience of our community as we complete these much needed improvements. We’ll continue sharing updates here and on our project webpage (lawrenceks.gov/mso/bb-improvements) as soon as more details are confirmed.
27th Street closure west of K-10 extended through week of August 17
On Monday, August 3, City contractors closed 27th Street west of K-10 to construct a sanitary sewer in the area. Originally scheduled for completion the week of August 3, this work has now been extended into the week of August 17 due to weather delays.
This work impacts access to the Youth Sports Complex and the Rotary Arboretum during businesses hours. Crews will reopen 27th Street by 5:00 p.m. at the end of every day to allow access for evening activities at the Youth Sports Complex. Additionally, the road will remain open when crews are not actively working in the area.
Additionally, the segment of the Lawrence Loop in the area will be closed during work. Detours signage will be in place directing loop users around the construction area during those closures.
The City now anticipates this work to end the week of August 17, pending weather or other delays.
Learnard Ave. to close to thru traffic between 19th Street and 23rd Street for Watermain Improvements Project
Beginning the week of August 10, City contractors will close Learnard Ave to thru traffic from 19th Street to 23rd Street to perform work associated with the Learnard Avenue Waterline Replacement Project.
Access for local traffic and residents will be maintained from both the north and the south through the duration of the project.
The City anticipates this closure to end in March 2027 pending weather or other delays.
Westbound 11th Street to close between Vermont Street and Kentucky Street
On Monday, August 10, City contractors will close the westbound lane of 11th Street between Vermont Street and Kentucky Street to facilitate paving operations for street maintenance work. A signed detour will be posted to direct traffic north on Vermont Street, west on 10th St, and south on Tennessee Street.
The City anticipates this closure to end the same day, August 10, pending weather or other delays.
Traffic Safety Moment | Slow down for school zones
School starts this month, which means more children and families will be walking, biking, riding buses, and getting in and out of vehicles near schools.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 521 pedestrians and 383 people riding bicycles were involved in crashes in Kansas in 2024. Those crashes resulted in 36 pedestrian deaths, 450 pedestrian injuries, eight bicyclist deaths and 346 bicyclist injuries.
School transportation safety also depends on drivers paying attention. As students return to class, please slow down in school zones, watch carefully at crosswalks, look for children walking or biking, and use extra care around buses and vehicles dropping off students.
A few extra seconds of attention can help make sure every child gets to school and home safely.
To learn more about construction projects around the city and view the interactive map, visit: lawrenceks.gov/construction.
Contact: City Communications, citycommunications@lawrenceks.gov
The Weekly Traffic Update is shared each week to help residents, businesses, visitors, commuters, and community partners plan ahead for road closures, construction impacts, and transportation-related work in Lawrence.
Missed the last issue? View our previous Weekly Traffic Updates here: Weekly Traffic Update Archive
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