City commissioners made it clear Tuesday evening that they want to consider their options on how to use nearly $700,000 in state transportation money designed to improve problem intersections.

Commissioners at their weekly meeting directed staff members to ask several questions of the Kansas Department of Transportation to determine whether the city could deviate from recommendations made by KDOT and still receive the funding.

KDOT had identified the intersections of 19th Street and Naismith Drive, Ninth Street and Avalon Road, and the area around Sixth and Iowa streets and McDonald Drive as intersections that could be eligible for up to $700,000 in state funding.

But the state recommended roundabouts for 19th Street and Naismith Drive and Sixth Street and McDonald Drive.

Mayor Mike Amyx asked staff members to discuss whether the state would be open to other solutions or would consider examining other intersections in the city that are in need of safety improvements.