Salina awards nearly $4 million contract to build West Magnolia Road Phase 1

The Salina City Commission on Nov. 24 approved awarding the West Magnolia Road Phase 1 construction contract (project 240330) to Prairie Land Works Inc. of McPherson, Kansas, authorizing a total project amount not to exceed $3,971,895.90 (low bid $3,782,758 plus a 5% contingency of $189,137.90).

Deputy director and city engineer Jim Kowach said the scope includes widening to a three‑lane section, adding sidewalks and a hike‑and‑bike path, and constructing a single‑lane roundabout to address expected traffic from nearby housing and commercial development. He noted the project is about a half‑mile long, includes substantial drainage work that drives cost, and has no feasible detour that would avoid phased construction. City staff reported securing a KDOT grant of $1.5 million but said the grant requires the project be under contract by February, limiting time to rebid or redesign.

Public commenters asked whether right‑of‑way acquisition was included (officials said the bid was construction‑only and right‑of‑way costs would be separate) and whether alternatives to a roundabout had been considered; staff said engineers concluded a signal would cause stacking back onto the interstate and that public meetings and property‑owner outreach were held during design.

A motion to award the contract and authorize the city manager to execute it upon fulfillment of bid prerequisites passed by voice vote, 5–0.