

Manhattan plans to extend Kirkwood Drive north, connecting Walters and Marlatt and providing access to the new Eisenhower recreation center. (Courtesy of the City of Manhattan)
A Wamego construction company was chosen to extend Kirkwood Drive north in anticipation of a new recreation center co-located at Eisenhower Middle School.
Manhattan City Commissioners Tuesday unanimously awarded Ebert Construction the nearly $1.6 million contract, though altogether costs for the project including design and easement acquisition are estimated just over $2 million or $2.25 million with contingency funds. Previous estimates put the project at a $1.2 million price tag.
Officials also approved additional costs for design revisions and a power pole relocation, included in the total cost.
Manhattan is planning to start work on the project in July to extend Kirkwood, connecting Walters Drive and Marlatt Avenue and serving as the primary access to the Eisenhower recreation center as well as an exit route for school drop-offs. In addition to new access, the extension is anticipated to assist with traffic flow and reduce accidents by steering motorists onto Marlatt where they can venture onto Tuttle Creek Boulevard more safely thanks to a traffic light.
Currently, departing traffic funnels into side streets or onto T.C.B. via Walters — which has resulted in numerous high speed accidents including a near miss with a school bus. Twenty accidents have occurred at that location in five years, six of which resulted in serious injury. With the extension, they can install an island to eliminate left turns off of Walters onto T.C.B. as well.
“The traffic is only going to increase with the addition of our gym,” says Morse. “This is something that has long been needed and I’m glad to see a solution.”

Walters-Morgan’s site is currently in the process of appraisal, estimated to come in between $50,000 and $75,000. (Courtesy of the City of Manhattan)

Manhattan is planning for up to $2.26 million in costs including contingency funds. (Courtesy of the City of Manhattan)
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