Kimball Avenue and Grande Mere Roundabout Reconstruction

After having done the initial traffic corridor study, Bartlett & West was hired to replace one of the first roundabouts constructed in Kansas. The area of Kimball Avenue and Grande Mere in Manhattan, Kansas, was infamous for having been built too small, causing it to become a major source of complaint since its construction. Located in one of the fastest-growing areas of the City the old roundabout was difficult to navigate and large trucks would hit the curbs. Its small area wasn’t the only issue—the pavement within the roundabout was severely deteriorated.

Challenge

Grand Mere Parkway is one of the two main entrances off Kimball Avenue to the rapidly growing residential area and Colbert Hills Golf Course to the north. An existing single-lane roundabout built in the early 2000s with rapidly deteriorating concrete pavement was located at the intersection and did not meet current design criteria for single-lane roundabouts. The design team was tasked with designing a new single-lane roundabout that met current design criteria as well as developing a construction plan that allowed traffic to continue to have access to Grand Mere Parkway and Kimball Avenue during construction. The new roundabout design had a significantly greater footprint and took up much of the room available for temporary roads. With steep grades surrounding the intersection on all sides, the design team had to ensure guidelines were followed for the temporary access roads; the public needed to navigate around the construction site safely. A large existing neighborhood sign located to the southwest side of the intersection also could not be disturbed during construction. The construction of the roundabout and tie-in streets at Grand Mere Parkway and Kimball Avenue had to be sequenced so that as much as possible of the roundabout and roadways could be built before the roadways were shut down, the existing roadway could be tied into the new roundabout and roadway pavement, and the temporary access roads could be removed and new sidewalks and shared-use paths could be installed.

Solution

Our team evaluated several options, including a roundabout, traffic signal and stop signs. After a thorough engineering study and multiple public input meetings, we selected a roundabout due to its proximity to a nearby traffic signals. This decision was made to minimize project costs and enhance pedestrian improvements. The project involved public input meetings with both residential and commercial stakeholders who would be impacted by the changes.

Value

Our design provided a larger, more functional roundabout without the size concerns that the intersection faced prior. The project not only saved the client money by coming in under budget, but also was able to please the landowners in the area who provided positive feedback about the project. The design includes accommodations for later turning into a dual lane roundabout, which allows for growth as needs in the area continue to grow.