The City of Salina has completed safety and accessibility improvements along YMCA Drive designed to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. The Salina City Commission approved the project on April 14, 2025, with construction beginning June 27, 2025, and completed by T&R Construction.
The improvements include Rapid Reflective Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at crosswalks, a raised crosswalk and speed hump to enforce the 20-mph speed limit, extended sidewalks near the OCCK bus stop, improved entrances to the east parking lot, and a new crosswalk at the soccer fields on Westchester Drive.
Chris Lehecka, President and CEO of YMCA Salina, said the improvements address community safety concerns. "When people talk to me about these crosswalks, they don't just say it's nice or convenient, they say they feel safer bringing their kids here," Lehecka said. "The YMCA isn't just a building, it's a place where families grow, where kids learn, where neighbors come together. Safety is the foundation of all that."
According to city officials, the upgrades are intended to reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and enhance visibility as part of the city's transportation safety network.
The City of Salina has announced plans for similar improvements on North 9th Street near the City Go bus stop and KANcycle bike-share location. That project will feature an exposed brick crosswalk, RRFBs, and a concrete bump-out.
