Lawrence Connected City Advisory Board Summary
Week of August 19, 2026
Initial phase of Bob Billings extension moves forward
Connected City Advisory Board raises pedestrian safety concerns on Bob Billings design
Lawrence crash data shows slight increase in injury collisions
City reports zero pedestrian or cyclist fatalities in 2023
City prepares safety infrastructure upgrades on high-injury network
Connected City Advisory Board recommends approval of Lawrence Bikes Plan
Stricter distracted driving ordinance considered for Lawrence
Sweeping Solid Waste Master Plan slated for September review
Initial phase of Bob Billings extension moves forward
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Connected City Advisory Board reviewed the Complete Streets checklist for the first phase of the Bob Billings extension, a project that will transform a two-lane gravel road into a city-standard arterial. Initially planned to stretch to E. 800th Rd., the first phase has been scaled back to extend a half-mile west of Kansas Highway 10 to accommodate anticipated development. The new design will include roundabouts, pedestrian islands and future mid-block crosswalks as adjacent land development occurs.
Connected City Advisory Board raises pedestrian safety concerns on Bob Billings design
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Connected City Advisory Board members, including Chair Hilary Carter, expressed concern over the pedestrian safety implications of the proposed 150-foot right-of-way for the Bob Billings extension. With a 40 mph design speed, officials worried the wide roadway could become a hostile barrier, comparing it to a "river" for pedestrians to cross. Staff noted the wide right-of-way is necessary to future-proof the corridor but acknowledged the challenge of balancing long-term vehicular capacity with immediate pedestrian accessibility.
Lawrence crash data shows slight increase in injury collisions
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence recorded 321 fatal and injury traffic crashes in 2023, a slight increase from the 302 recorded in 2022, according to the annual Vision Zero report presented to the Connected City Advisory Board by Transportation Planning Manager Jessica Mortinger. Despite the year-over-year uptick, Mortinger noted that severe crashes remain on a downward trend over the past 15 years. The highest volume of severe incidents involved angle or side-impact collisions, which are typical of red-light running at intersections.
City reports zero pedestrian or cyclist fatalities in 2023
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Although there were 27 pedestrian and 22 bicycle injury crashes in Lawrence last year, the city reported zero vulnerable road user fatalities in 2023. The year's four fatal crashes exclusively involved motor vehicles, including two motorcycle collisions and two passenger vehicle collisions. Transportation staff reported that bicycle and pedestrian injury crashes remain heavily concentrated in the downtown area and along the Sixth Street corridor.
City prepares safety infrastructure upgrades on high-injury network
LAWRENCE, Kan. — City staff outlined upcoming infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing traffic collisions as part of the ongoing Vision Zero initiative. Planned projects for the upcoming year include signal timing adjustments on the high-injury network along Iowa Street and 23rd Street, the implementation of a road diet on Massachusetts Street from 14th Street to 23rd Street, and a pilot program for Leading Pedestrian Intervals funded by a federal safety grant.
Connected City Advisory Board recommends approval of Lawrence Bikes Plan
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Connected City Advisory Board voted to recommend the approval of the Lawrence Bikes Plan, a comprehensive update to the 2019 framework presented by Transportation Planning Manager Jessica Mortinger. The plan aims to elevate the city to a "Silver" League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community designation by expanding the low-stress bikeway network and closing three primary gaps in the Lawrence Loop. The motion passed with a majority vote, with one advisory board member abstaining.
Stricter distracted driving ordinance considered for Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The city may explore drafting a local distracted driving ordinance that would impose stricter rules than current state law. Police department representatives indicated that while a new state law (SB 366) enacted on July 1, 2026, bans handheld devices in school and construction zones, the state's broader texting-while-driving ban remains difficult to enforce on other streets because drivers can claim they were legally making a phone call or looking at a map. Connected City Advisory Board members suggested drafting a local ordinance explicitly prohibiting the use of all handheld devices while driving to close the enforcement loophole.
Sweeping Solid Waste Master Plan slated for September review
LAWRENCE, Kan. — A Solid Waste Master Plan is scheduled to come before the Connected City Advisory Board in September, which city staff warned will have a significant impact on community utility bills and services. Because the solid waste division lacks a dedicated advisory board, the comprehensive study will be reviewed by the Connected City Advisory Board to provide critical feedback before heading to the city commission for final approval.
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