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Resident asks council to study speeding and large‑vehicle traffic on E. 70th Street
Summary
A Lawrence resident asked the council to conduct a study or assessment of traffic and speeding on E. 70th Street, citing increased commercial traffic, bicyclists, limited sightlines and safety concerns for mailboxes and pedestrians.
Galen Sirpack, a Lawrence resident, asked the Lawrence City Common Council on June 2 to conduct a traffic study of E. 70th Street between Carroll Road and Oakland Avenue, citing driver distraction, frequent speeding and increased commercial vehicle traffic.
Sirpack said the stretch is posted at 40 mph in portions and that residents must cross the street to reach mailboxes on the south side. He described seeing semis, fuel trucks, boats on trailers and even a tour coach stopping near Oakland and 70th, and said driver distraction — “people... with their cell phones in their hands” — is a major concern. Sirpack also noted deer collisions in the area and a site‑specific visibility problem at his driveway caused by a second power pole near Bridal Lane.
Sirpack told the council he brought photographs documenting the safety issues and asked that council members or staff permit him to submit them for review. He said simply changing the posted speed limit alone may not address driver behavior and asked the council to consider a study to evaluate the scope of the problem and possible countermeasures.
The request was made during the citizen‑comment portion of the meeting. Council members acknowledged the safety concerns and said they would follow up, but the transcript does not show a formal motion or referral to staff during the meeting.
