Kyle city leaders continue their quest to fix a 7- to 8-foot cavity discovered at a low water crossing underneath Lehman Road near Steeplechase Park.
As a result of the problem, the city has temporarily closed the thoroughfare as road crews attempt to remedy the issue.
Leon Barba, Kyle city engineer, said in a statement the closure, located near Hallie Drive, was done as the structural integrity of the road at the low water crossing has been compromised.
Harper Wilder, Kyle public works director, said he, along with Barba and Street Division Manager Scott Egbert, are discussing “several possible options for fixing the road.”
The Kyle City Council last week approved up to $25,000 for emergency repairs, with city crews potentially returning to request more money if needed, Wilder said.
City Manager Scott Sellers said he has contacted Hays County officials for possible assistance, along with ideas and support.
It is unknown at this time when repairs on the affected low water crossing will be completed. Kim Hilsenbeck, Kyle communications specialist, said fixing the low water crossing is “top priority.”
Barba said the issue was discovered by a city crew member who drove over the low water crossing late Tuesday. The crew member saw a hole in the top of the road and called public works.
An examination showed pipes under the road, which are estimated to be 20 years old, appeared to have rusted along the bottom, creating holes in the pipes.
Water from recent rain events going through the pipes under the low water crossing area pulled out backfill, which created a “deep cavity.”
Barba said in a statement some of the backfill base was pushed downstream 20 yards.
According to the city, that part of Lehman Road was previously repaired in a different section in 2015, which was a temporary fix, following the Halloween Flood.
City crews also put off “any major repairs” as Lehman Road is part of Kyle’s $35 million road bond package, which was approved by voters in 2013.
According to the city, the current timeline for the start of the Lehman Road reconstruction is April 2017.
