Public Works FAQ

Each late-winter, with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners, the Public Works Department has an enrollment period for residents wishing to purchase a "dust palliative" treatment for the road fronting their property. This is a user-fee program, so the property owner pays up front for the estimated cost of applying the dust palliative material. In addition, the property owner pays approximately ½ the cost for the road to be prepared for dust palliative, and an administrative fee to cover our costs of brokering the program. The dust palliative material is typically applied in late spring

The most common dust palliative products are calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Both products consist of a "brine solution" found naturally in various regions of the USA. The products have been found to control dust by attracting moisture from the atmosphere causing dust to "clump" together. This aids in dust control in two ways. First, the road surface tends to form a hard crust that does not have loose dust particles. And second, larger and heavier dust particles do not float about as much.

The county does not guarantee the results of the product. We simply provide an enrollment service to allow the collective purchase of the product in a large enough quantity to achieve an economical solution. Once the enrollment period has closed, then departmental staff reviews each location to determine if it has been marked properly. The quantity of dust palliative required to cover the locations is then calculated and a bid process is initiated.

Once the bid has been awarded then large tank trucks are used to apply the product to the locations throughout the county.

Please note that the road must be properly graded by the maintaining agency (county or township) prior to application of the palliative. In addition, occasional grading may be required should hazardous potholes develop within the treated segment of road. Degradation of the dust-controlling properties of the palliative may occur.

If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.

The park opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m. The Wells Overlook park was donated in 1971 by William H. Wells in memory of William D. Wells and Charles W. Wells.

For a complete list of rules & regulations for Lone Star Lake Park, please view the Lone Star Lake Park Rules and Regulations (PDF format).

Roads and bridges are rarely closed to traffic except in cases of major construction. If you have a question about a specific road or bridge you may contact the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293, or by visiting the Road Closings page.

If the immediate safety of traffic is at risk due to a missing traffic control sign, i.e. a STOP sign, then you should contact the appropriate law enforcement agency by dialing 911. Other rural sign problems concerning down or damaged signs should be reported to the Public Works Department Operations Division at 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS, by telephone at 785-331-1330.

If you have questions concerning traffic safety issues and the possible need for additional signs or any other questions you may call the Public Works Department at 785-832-5293. 

Yes! Products dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility that are in good, usable condition are set on Product Reuse shelves for redistribution. Everything is free! Please call the Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Staff at 785-832-3032 to schedule a time to "shop our shelves"!

Douglas County does have a program that allows civic organizations the opportunity to Adopt-a-Highway. Requests are made to the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.

Roads are vacated by a legislative act by the Board of County Commissioners. The process to vacate a road is authorized by K.S.A. 68-102 et seq and, additionally, by Douglas County Charter Resolution No. 94-2-1. A hearing before the board and pertinent township board is required prior to action. Various public notices of the hearing(s) are required.

While it is possible for the Board of County Commissioners to vacate a road on their own initiative they are typically reluctant to do so without a petition.

Petitions to vacate a road may be submitted to the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.

If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.

Applications for the installation of new entrances are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. It would be very helpful if you could bring a copy of your property's legal description which can be found on your property tax statement. There is a $75.00 fee required for submission of an application. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.

The best way to subdivide property is to utilize the services of a professional land surveyor or multi-disciplined consulting firm. The local regulations can be complicated and, in addition, various state laws and regulations require certain activities be performed by licensed professionals. If you have specific questions regarding the process you may contact the Lawrence - Douglas County Planning office located in the Lawrence City Hall at 6th Street and Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas or you may telephone that office at 785-832-3150.

Entrances must be constructed to proper standards and specifications for reasons primarily related to traffic safety. The standards and specifications are contained within an Entrance Construction Application Form available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. There is a $75.00 fee required for submission of an application. If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.

Chemical control is not the only method to treat noxious weeds. If you decide to spray your noxious weeds you can participate in the cost share program through the Douglas County Noxious Weed Department. Chemicals are sold for the treatment of noxious weeds only. Private landowners can purchase 2-4D, Tordon 22K, Roundup Ultra, and Remedy at 75% of the County's purchase price. If you have any questions please call the Douglas County Noxious Weed Department at 785-331-1331. 

K.S.A. 2-1319 through 2-1332 provides information about Kansas noxious weed laws. The statutes name specific weeds that must be controlled by the landowner. The goal is to prevent the production and spread of viable seed. Fines are invoked at the rate of $100.00 day for each day of non-compliance with the law.

The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste program is open for Douglas County residents to drop-off household hazardous waste, or visit the product reuse area. The facility is located at 2201 Kresge Road in Lawrence, and is open Tuesday through Thursday, by appointment only. The facility will be closed on City observed holidays. Materials accepted include unwanted paint, pesticides, cleaners, old mercury thermometers, and batteries. There is no fee to Douglas County households. Also please visit our website at http://lawrenceks.org/swm/hhw/ for more information on hazardous waste.

Ownership maps are available at the Engineering Division office at the Public Works Department, 3755 East 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. The maps were prepared by a private mapping firm using the 1997 tax roll for the source of ownership and have been copyrighted. We do not know their process for updating the map. The sizes available and their prices are as follows:

• Large Douglas County Ownership Map - 34" x 36" $27.50
• Medium Douglas County Ownership Map - 28" x 29" $22.00
• Small Douglas County Ownership Map - 23" x 23" $17.00

Shipping and handling charges - depends on amount ordered - minimum charge is $1.00.

Maps may be ordered by telephone or mail. Payment must be received prior to the mailing of the map(s). If you have any questions you may call the Public Works Department by telephone at 785-832-5293.