Libby and I always enjoy seeing so many friends at Founder’s Day. Each year Kyle seems to be a little bigger with so much more traffic. This year, after the parade, we toured the well restored old depot and met with Kyle officials to discuss the disruptive impact of Union Pacific trains parked on the siding across Center Street.
I saw so many folks waiting too long because of an idling train. And much more than wasted time is at stake if someone encounters a health care emergency during the many times the train will not get out of the way. Additionally, I heard about the dangers created when some drivers try to circumvent the crossing arms.
After our meeting, I immediately began exploring every possibility for any federal support to supplement Hays County bond funding to rectify this unreasonable situation. Congress created a Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Program to address this type of problem. Unfortunately, the first year after Republicans gained a Congressional majority, they cut funding for this program in half. Thus, while we passed legislation, we remain at an impasse.
