Committee approves KDOT grants, contracts and procurement actions including $3M HSIP award for Metcalf/70th; multiple 5-0 votes

The Public Works Committee recommended City Council approval of a package of transportation, construction and procurement items on motions that passed by voice vote, each recorded as 5–0 in committee. Major items included receipt of federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds for a signal at 70th Street and Metcalf, a $1 million KDOT-participating grant for a Hemlock mini-roundabout, award of turnkey electric-vehicle charging equipment and installation, a $3.20 million contract for concrete curb-and-sidewalk repairs, consultant authorizations for transportation planning and a preliminary engineering study, and a short-term procurement addition to secure salt supplies for winter operations.

Votes at a glance

- Metcalf Avenue and 70th Street traffic signal (City State Agreement No. 89224; city project ST2953/ST2952): the committee recommended approval to accept $3,000,000 in federal HSIP funding administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to construct left-turn lanes and install a new signal at the intersection. Committee discussion noted this action is to accept funds (the project is already in the CIP), and members asked about right-of-way impacts and street trees. Outcome: recommend approval; committee vote 5–0.

- Hemlock mini-roundabout (City State Agreement No. 92624; city project ST2952): staff recommended accepting $1,000,000 in HSIP grant funding for a mini-roundabout…