Council pauses Randall Road bridge idea; to pursue at‑grade safety improvements and grant application

Staff reported that KDOT’s long‑term plan for Randall Road includes a six‑lane ultimate build and that building a permanent pedestrian ramp north of Main Street could conflict with that future widening and raise extensive design and drainage issues. KDOT staff also told city staff that a full intersection rebuild can cost about $4,000,000. Given those constraints, council approved redirecting remaining consultant funds with Strand to prepare a 'Safe Streets for All' grant application (deadline May 26) to fund preliminary engineering for at‑grade safety measures at Wilson, McKee and possibly Maine.

Council members argued for near‑term actions that could be built faster and provide a better safety return on investment than advancing a bridge that may not be feasible to construct in the short term. Suggested near‑term improvements include better nighttime lighting, widened crosswalks, leading pedestrian intervals and protected turn treatments. Staff said the city will begin those design steps if the grant is awarded and that the parking/traffic counts and subsequent engineering will shape whether a larger structure becomes feasible in the future.

Max (introduced at the start of the downtown presentation) and public‑safety advocates noted a multi‑pronged approach: a bridge is one option but other treatments can reduce conflict if deployed earlier. Council did not choose to abandon the bridge concept permanently; rather, members asked staff to prioritize grant applications and cost estimates for at‑grade improvements while preserving the long‑term option of an overpass should funding and right‑of‑way issues change.