By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The proposed roundabout on 9th and Water Well Road in Salina was approved by City Commissioners after a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Bill Longbine not for the approval.
Monday's meeting was a revisitation, after a postponement for reconsideration on November 10th.
Background of 9th and Water Well roundabout
Back on July, City Commissioners approved a contract with Kaw Valley Engineering for engineering design services, related to road improvements at the intersection of 9th Street and Water Well Road.
According to the city commission packet, there was a conducted traffic analysis and stakeholder input related to the intersection of 9th Street and Water Well Road.
It outlined the findings of the consultant’s evaluation of traffic control alternatives, including operational performance, safety considerations, cost implications, and stakeholder concerns.
Based on these findings, a roundabout was the preferred traffic control solution for this intersection.
The intersection of 9th Street (40 mph; 55 mph just south near Great Plains) and Water Well Road (45 mph) is currently controlled by a two-way stop on Water Well Road.
Traffic volumes are approximately 4,700 vehicles per day (VPD) on 9th Street and 3,200 VPD on Water Well Road. Between 2022 and today, 10 accidents have occurred at the intersection, including two injury accidents.
Projected 2047 traffic volumes are expected to increase substantially to 10,800 VPD on 9th Street and 7,500 VPD on Water Well Road, due to anticipated development in the area.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):
- 78% reduction in fatal and injury accidents when replacing a signalized intersection.
- 82% reduction when replacing a two-way stop.
FHWA guidance emphasizes early engagement with freight stakeholders and ensuring the roundabout is designed for appropriate design vehicles. A Kansas case study has shown successful implementation of a roundabout at an intersection with truck volumes of 20% or higher, with reductions in severe accidents.
Approximately 10% of the vehicles at this intersection today are trucks, according to the City.
However, Doug Bradley Trucking President, Jamie Bradley has voiced his concerns and opinions against the proposed roundabout.
Lack of communication
In the past, Bradley has spoken with commissioners about the lack of communication Kaw Valley Engineering had when this roundabout was proposed.
Bradley stated he had to reach out to the City of Salina first, before getting in contact with Kaw Valley.
Additionally, Kubota of Salina and Great Plains Trucking stated they were never contacted.
"There was never any follow up with the stakeholders and we did not even know where the project was advancing," said Great Plains Trucking President, Brett Weis.
“I guess what I was the most frustrated going back to when this was first announced, we were never contacted for our input or opinion," said Kubota of Salina General Manager, Mark Johnson.
Kaw Valley Engineering stated they had reached out to Amazon and Schwan's about the roundabout.
In favor of traffic light
Bradley, Weis and Johnson have all said they are in favor for a traffic light.
According to Bradley, a traffic light will prevent many concerns and risks, plus save costs.
Doug Bradley and Great Plains Trucking, use the intersection daily and have expressed their concerns:
- Difficulty navigating roundabouts with large trucks.
- Higher likelihood of truck-involved accidents.
- Increased liability exposure and cost associated with accidents.
- Lack of maneuvering space (in a smaller or poorly designed roundabout).
- Chances of sideswipe and entering circulating collisions.
- Hesitation, and/or confusion.
- Unawareness and/or entering roundabout too fast.
For the costs, Bradley provided a table to display the comparison of a roundabout vs. traffic light signals for 9th and Water Well during the meeting:
The $4.6 million has risen installation costs due, to significant amount on construction work needed to be done on 9th Street.
The installation costs provided by the city was:
Roundabout: $1,900,000
Traffic light: $900,000
Commissioner Dr. Trent Davis questioned why the chart provided "none" for an annual reduction of injury accidents. Bradley quoted the USDOT definition of "Accidents" which states:
A fatality.
Bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.
"It is an intersection waiting for something bad to happen... the roundabout will slow traffic down," said Dr. Davis.
Hoppock stated he watched about 12 trucks go through a roundabout at Junction City and said "there was no issue" of the trucks going through. He also added the roundabout will help achieve Vision Zero.
The percentages for "What do Salina Citizens prefer" was a survey answered by over 7,000 people according to Bradley.
Bradley clarified he thinks roundabouts are the safer option in many regards, and prefers roundabouts in certain areas.
However, for this specific location in Water Well and 9th, he along with other trucking companies hoped to see a different installment.
There was no mention for a set date on construction.