RAISE Grant - Old Smoky Hill River Bridge Replacement Project
Rivers divide. Bridges connect. This project shows how bridges and a river can connect a community and create a sense of belonging. This project will transform the urban core of Salina into a gathering point for the community, a destination in the middle of Kansas, and create sustainable and safe routes inclusive of all modes, abilities, and people. The river will be reborn and diverse habitat will be restored. The community will collaborate and partner to make the project a reality and dramatically improve the quality of life in Salina Kansas.
The Project will feature the construction of seven bridges across the restored Old Smoky Hill River channel that winds through downtown Salina. These bridges will replace aging and undersized culvert structures that are hydraulically deficient and can cause flooding in the City. The bridges are vital to Salina’s movement of people and goods and will connect the many neighborhoods, surrounding the City center with new recreational opportunities that will make Salina a highly desirable place to live and work. In addition, the City will implement several innovative safety treatments at high pedestrian volume and crash locations, replace a retaining wall the threatens the City’s water treatment Plant, and place a multi-modal hub with E.V. chargers and transit access at the City’s main event center.
In addition to the construction of seven bridges, the Old Smoky Hill River channel and trail restoration efforts will complement the bridges and enhance their utilization for transportation and community connectivity. Many years ago, the existing channel was cut off from the main river channel and has become blocked with slit and debris. The current trail system has gaps and is not compliant with today’s design standards. With the new bridges, the Old Smoky Hill River can be restored to a flowing channel creating new aquatic habitat and recreational opportunities for residents. Utilizing the seven bridges being constructed to also connect the trail system, the City will have for multi-purpose, contiguous, accessible, and safe trails that allows walkers, runners, rollers, and bikers to enjoy the restored river channel area and connect with each other. Grass roots organizations like Friends of the River have worked with the City and designers over many years to gather community input and push the Project through preliminary design and process environmental documentation. The conceptual planning is done, 30 % design plans are complete, and local funding is in place from the City and community partners.
Estimated Project Costs
| Cost | Item |
| $1,021,742 | Bridge #1 - Lakewood Park Bridge |
| $1,924,458 | Bridge #2 - Elm Street Bridge |
| $1,928,896 | Bridge #3 - Ash Street Bridge |
| $3,071,225 | Bridge #4 - Iron Avenue Bridge |
| $1,898,127 | Bridge #5 - The Midway Bridge |
| $1,893,094 | Bridge #6 - YMCA Bridge |
| $2,204,744 | Bridge #7 - S Ohio Street Pedestrian Undercrossing and Hydraulic Culvert |
| $6,014,560 | Multi-purpose Bike and Pedestrian Trails |
| $1,375,547 | Lighting - Pedestrian Crossing and Trails |
| $569,792 | N. Ohio Street Pedestrian Underpass |
| $342,225 | Pedestrian Crossing Safety Features |
| $230,826 | Multi-Modal Hub (at The Midway) |
| $1,306,715 | Retaining Wall at Water Treatment Plant |
| $2,065,735 | Old Smoky Hill River Channel Maintenance Facility and Boat Ramps |
| $2,964,164 | Complete Streets and Boardwalk |
| $1,081,328 | Levee Outlet for Flood Mitigation and Aquatic Connectivity |
$29,713,210
$4,074,410 | Project Subtotal (2022 Dollars)
Engineering |
| $33,787,620 | TOTAL |
Project
Funding Sources
| Funding Source Description | Cost | % of Total Cost |
| City of Salina | $11,675,000 | 34.50% |
| RAISE Grant | $22,112,620 | 65.50% |
| TOTAL | $33,787,620 | 100% |
Estimated Project Schedule
| Date | Milestone |
| 2019 | Preliminary Design (30%) completed |
| 2023 | RAISE Grant was awarded |
| April 1, 2026 | Plans and Specifications complete |
| Fall of 2026 | Anticipate award of the Construction Project |
| June 30, 2031 | Final Completion of Construction |
Documents Available
Revitalizing
Smoky Hill River
Our transformative utility project rejuvenates the river ecosystem for sustainable water management.
Rivers divide. Bridges connect. This project shows how bridges and a river can connect a community and create a sense of belonging. This project will transform the urban core of Salina into a gathering point for the community, a destination in the middle of Kansas, and create sustainable and safe routes inclusive of all modes, abilities, and people. The river will be reborn and diverse habitat will be restored. The community will collaborate and partner to make the project a reality and dramatically improve the quality of life in Salina Kansas.
The Project will feature the construction of seven bridges across the restored Old Smoky Hill River channel that winds through downtown Salina. These bridges will replace aging and undersized culvert structures that are hydraulically deficient and can cause flooding in the City. The bridges are vital to Salina’s movement of people and goods and will connect the many neighborhoods, surrounding the City center with new recreational opportunities that will make Salina a highly desirable place to live and work. In addition, the City will implement several innovative safety treatments at high pedestrian volume and crash locations, replace a retaining wall the threatens the City’s water treatment Plant, and place a multi-modal hub with E.V. chargers and transit access at the City’s main event center.
In addition to the construction of seven bridges, the Old Smoky Hill River channel and trail restoration efforts will complement the bridges and enhance their utilization for transportation and community connectivity. Many years ago, the existing channel was cut off from the main river channel and has become blocked with slit and debris. The current trail system has gaps and is not compliant with today’s design standards. With the new bridges, the Old Smoky Hill River can be restored to a flowing channel creating new aquatic habitat and recreational opportunities for residents. Utilizing the seven bridges being constructed to also connect the trail system, the City will have for multi-purpose, contiguous, accessible, and safe trails that allows walkers, runners, rollers, and bikers to enjoy the restored river channel area and connect with each other. Grass roots organizations like Friends of the River have worked with the City and designers over many years to gather community input and push the Project through preliminary design and process environmental documentation. The conceptual planning is done, 30 % design plans are complete, and local funding is in place from the City and community partners.
Estimated Project Costs
| Cost | Item |
| $1,021,742 | Bridge #1 - Lakewood Park Bridge |
| $1,924,458 | Bridge #2 - Elm Street Bridge |
| $1,928,896 | Bridge #3 - Ash Street Bridge |
| $3,071,225 | Bridge #4 - Iron Avenue Bridge |
| $1,898,127 | Bridge #5 - The Midway Bridge |
| $1,893,094 | Bridge #6 - YMCA Bridge |
| $2,204,744 | Bridge #7 - S Ohio Street Pedestrian Undercrossing and Hydraulic Culvert |
| $6,014,560 | Multi-purpose Bike and Pedestrian Trails |
| $1,375,547 | Lighting - Pedestrian Crossing and Trails |
| $569,792 | N. Ohio Street Pedestrian Underpass |
| $342,225 | Pedestrian Crossing Safety Features |
| $230,826 | Multi-Modal Hub (at The Midway) |
| $1,306,715 | Retaining Wall at Water Treatment Plant |
| $2,065,735 | Old Smoky Hill River Channel Maintenance Facility and Boat Ramps |
| $2,964,164 | Complete Streets and Boardwalk |
| $1,081,328 | Levee Outlet for Flood Mitigation and Aquatic Connectivity |
$29,713,210
$4,074,410 | Project Subtotal (2022 Dollars)
Engineering |
| $33,787,620 | TOTAL |
Project
Funding Sources
| Funding Source Description | Cost | % of Total Cost |
| City of Salina | $11,675,000 | 34.50% |
| RAISE Grant | $22,112,620 | 65.50% |
| TOTAL | $33,787,620 | 100% |
Estimated Project Schedule
| Date | Milestone |
| 2019 | Preliminary Design (30%) completed |
| 2023 | RAISE Grant was awarded |
| April 1, 2026 | Plans and Specifications complete |
| Fall of 2026 | Anticipate award of the Construction Project |
| June 30, 2031 | Final Completion of Construction |
Documents Available