Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Roundabout topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Junction City moves forward with plan for McFarland–Eisenhower roundabout after engineering briefing
Summary
City engineers presented traffic and safety analyses supporting a single‑lane roundabout at McFarland and Eisenhower; commissioners discussed right‑of‑way impacts, a KDOT Carbon Reduction grant covering most construction and a city match of roughly 20%.
Public Works Director Mr. Ibarra and consulting engineer Justin Owens presented a proposed roundabout at McFarland and Eisenhower, arguing it would reduce traffic delay and improve pedestrian safety. Owens summarized traffic studies showing current turning movements could experience long delays—he cited a projected worst left‑turn delay of 123 seconds under future traffic and said the roundabout design would reduce average delay to about 14.9 seconds over a 20‑year horizon. “The purpose of Roundabout is for traffic calming,” Owens said, adding that the design anticipates truck movements with a concrete truck apron and pedestrian refuge islands.
Ibarra told the commission the project was submitted for Carbon Reduction Act funding through KDOT; staff reported a maximum KDOT award figure and stated the city’s share would be approximately 20% (staff quoted a match near $450,000 in discussion). Commissioners pressed staff on land acquisition, including small takings from a church and a private homeowner; Owens confirmed some right‑of‑way would be required and said the church had previously expressed willingness to cooperate.
Commissioners also explored alternatives, including adding signals or a less‑intrusive realignment. Owens said signals generally require higher traffic warrants and less funding support from KDOT for non‑state routes, while roundabouts can be eligible even at lower traffic volumes. He framed the choice as safety‑driven: “With a roundabout, we would expect to see maximum speeds of 15–20 miles an hour,” reducing severe collision types, he said, and cited Federal Highway Administration figures on roundabout collision reductions.
Next steps: staff said they have a verbal award letter and are working through agreements with KDOT and utility relocations; if agreements and design proceed, construction could be pursued in the coming year. Commissioners did not take a formal vote on construction tonight but discussed timing relative to the city’s 2025 street maintenance program and related bids.
