Salina, KS — The Salina City Commission will receive a presentation Monday at 4:00 p.m. regarding a proposed roundabout at the intersection of 9th Street and Water Well Road, based on a detailed traffic impact study commissioned by the City. The presentation will outline existing traffic conditions, projected future traffic from nearby industrial and commercial development, and safety considerations for both passenger vehicles and heavy commercial trucks.
The study evaluates both a signalized intersection and a modern roundabout under current traffic levels and projected conditions in 2047, incorporating industrial expansion expected north, south, and east of the intersection.
Existing Traffic Conditions
The intersection currently carries an average of 3,200 vehicles per day on Water Well Road and 4,700 vehicles per day on 9th Street, with heavy trucks representing approximately 10% of daily volume. Since 2022, the intersection has experienced 10 documented crashes, including two injury crashes and eight property-damage-only incidents.
Future Traffic Demand and Development
The study projects significant additional vehicle volume tied to the build-out of nearby industrial, warehouse, business park, lodging, and commercial service sites. Vehicle trip generation models indicate thousands of additional daily vehicle movements are likely as the area develops.
Roundabout vs. Traffic Signal Analysis
The study compares the performance of a signalized intersection and a roundabout across four scenarios: existing traffic, future growth without development, existing traffic plus development, and future growth plus full development.
- A signalized intersection maintains an acceptable Level of Service (LOS) under most projected conditions but experiences significant queueing and delay at peak hours as traffic grows.
- A roundabout is shown to reduce queue length, maintain traffic flow stability, and manage turning movements more efficiently, even under 2047 full-build traffic volume projections.round5
Safety Considerations
Modern roundabouts are widely recognized as a “proven safety countermeasure” due to lower vehicle speeds and fewer conflict points. The Federal Highway Administration reports that converting two-way stop-controlled intersections to roundabouts can reduce fatal and injury crashes by 82%, and conversions from signalized intersections can reduce them by 78%.
For heavy commercial vehicles, recent research from the Minnesota Department of Transportation found that while rollover incidents can occur, roundabouts still result in lower rates of severe crashes compared to signalized intersections, and newer design guidance has further reduced rollover risk.
A 2025 analysis of Class 8 truck movement through roundabouts notes that driver speed management and geometric design are critical, and that updated apron designs and approach speed treatments have improved heavy truck navigation success.
A Kansas case study at a rural high-speed freight intersection near Paola showed overall crashes decreased 67% and severe crashes were eliminated entirely after a roundabout replaced two stop-controlled intersections.
Upcoming Commission Discussion
The City Commission will receive the presentation Monday, but no final vote is scheduled at this meeting. The discussion will focus on:
- Traffic performance under growth scenarios
- Heavy vehicle safety considerations
- Cost-benefit comparison of signal vs. roundabout
- Long-term infrastructure planning options
Meeting Information
Monday, 11-10-25
4:00 PM
City-County Building — City Commission Chambers
300 W. Ash St., Room 107
Open to the public