Commission approves KDOT agreement for McFarland‑Eisenhower roundabout after extended public debate, 3‑2

The Junction City Commission voted 3–2 to approve a Kansas Department of Transportation agreement to build a roundabout at McFarland Road and Eisenhower Drive, with KDOT funding about $1,659,442 and the city responsible for a 20% match estimated at $331,888 drawn from special highway and federal exchange funds.

Why it matters: The intersection lies near a park and school routes that commissioners and residents said present pedestrian safety concerns. Proponents argued a roundabout would reduce severe collisions and improve pedestrian refuge, while opponents said the design would intrude closer to park space, could impede traffic flow on Eisenhower hill and that alternate, lower‑cost safety measures should be considered.

Public comment was extensive. Several residents urged rejection; others, including business owners and longtime residents, urged approval as a long‑term investment. Commissioners questioned vehicle and emergency‑vehicle accommodation, impacts on park space, pedestrian safety, and whether reconfiguration of existing signals or crossing guards could address concerns without the roundabout.

City staff and the design engineer from Kaw Valley said the proposed roundabout was sized to accommodate semi‑tractor trailers and fire apparatus; the interior “truck apron” would be overrunnable for large vehicles while keeping circulating traffic slow. Staff said the project would finally connect trail work and Safe Routes to School projects that were planned but never completed.

Statistics cited by the design team included research figures for roundabouts generally — reductions in overall collisions, injury collisions and pedestrian incidents — and staff said the roundabout would close a missing pedestrian crossing link along the trail. The design team noted signage and signage‑based crossings would be included; signalized crosswalks were not part of the current design.

The commission split 3–2 on the motion to approve the KDOT agreement after discussion and public testimony. The approved agreement will allow staff to move forward with KDOT‑administered funding and preliminary design steps.

Votes and next steps: With the commission’s approval, staff said design and right‑of‑way work will continue under KDOT’s program and the city will program its 20% match from special highway and federal exchange funds. Commissioners and staff said pedestrian protections, possible additional signage, and measures to reduce intrusion into park space would be reviewed during final design stages.