By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson may take another shot at acquiring funds for renovation of the Woodie Seat interchange with Avenue A. The city was denied funding of the project last year, but announced during Tuesday’s City Council meeting that it will try again.
The city wanted to construct a roundabout at Avenue A and Adams, then another one at Avenue A and Woodie Seat. The road would then incline over the two railroads. The plan would have eliminated two aging bridges and closed off Avenue B at that location.
The cost of the work would be in excess of $6 million. The plan was met with mixed reactions when it was first introduced. Area residents did not want to see Avenue B closed and others simply did not want roundabouts at the two intersections. Those in favor of the change pointed to the need to eliminate traffic congestion around the interchange and at the intersection of Avenue A and Adams.
The announcement from Public Works today prompted Councilman Steve Garza to ask if the plans for the project were the same. Jeff Peterson of Public Works said that would be up to the council. He noted that both of the bridges along avenues A and B will soon be in need of replacement at a cost of more than $5 million — something the council would need to consider when making the new application.