Commission approves engineering contracts for West Magnolia corridor and Ninth Street/Watewell roundabout design
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Summary
The commission authorized the city manager to execute two engineering services agreements: WSP USA for West Magnolia phases 2 and 3 design ($506,772) and Kaw Valley Engineering for Ninth Street and Waterwell Road improvements including a roundabout ($420,425). Both contracts passed on 5–0 votes.
The Salina City Commission voted July 14 to authorize two separate engineering service contracts for roadway improvements.
Jim Kowach, the city engineer, outlined the West Magnolia corridor work and the associated design contract with WSP USA. The work continues a multi‑phase improvement of Magnolia Road west of I‑135 and includes a three‑lane typical section, roundabouts (Virginia Drive and Centennial) designed to accommodate truck turns, sidewalks, and a 10‑foot off‑road bicycle path on the south side. Kowach said the project will also incorporate a fourth leg requested by Kansas State University for future campus access. He described environmental and railroad coordination needs and noted the city secured a KDOT grant for phase 1. "That project, we're wanting to design ... includes a 3 lane typical section and another roundabout at the intersection of Magnolia Drive and Centennial," Kowach said.
The commission approved an engineering services agreement with WSP USA, not to exceed $506,772.
On a separate motion, commissioners approved a contract with Kaw Valley Engineering, not to exceed $420,425, to prepare design for the Ninth Street and Waterwell Road improvement project that will include a roundabout configuration. Staff said the Ninth Street proposal arose from rapid industrial and commercial growth in the area (manufacturing, distribution, truck stops and Amazon warehouse) and that the design work will include a traffic study and projections from area businesses to size the intersection and approaches for present and future truck volumes.
Votes and timing: both motions passed unanimously (5–0). Staff said design work will proceed over roughly a year and construction timing will follow design, right‑of‑way acquisition, and utility coordination; some work could be built in late 2026 or 2027 depending on schedules and funding.
Why it matters: both corridors are identified in the city’s CIP, serve growing housing and industrial areas, and the designs include multimodal elements (sidewalks and a separated bicycle path on West Magnolia) plus truck‑capable roundabouts intended to keep traffic flowing and limit long queuing at intersections.
What’s next: staff will proceed with design under contract, perform required traffic and railroad coordination, pursue applicable grants where possible, and return to the commission with construction funding requests and scheduling once design and right‑of‑way needs are known.
