By Moses Leos III
Two proposed transportation projects will drastically change the face of Kyle and Buda within a decade. One is a loop to alleviate traffic woes in downtown Kyle. The second is a bypass that will eliminate 18-wheelers from Main Street in Buda.
The Kyle Loop is an ambitious project that will stretch from Yarrington Road in far south Kyle to the soon-to-be built Robert S. Light extension in Buda. At the midpoint, the loop will veer west and connect with RM 150 (NF 17). The loop will swerve around the west side of the city, intersecting with RM 150 near Arroyo Ranch Road, and with FM 1626, where the Robert S. Light extension will connect.
Originally, Kyle Loop was on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (CAMPO) 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. It was to cut across FM 2770 and FM 1626, connecting to the Kyle Crossing Bridge and Windy Hill Road.
However, Hays County realized it was going to affect the way of life around the proposed route. As a result, they went to CAMPO and changed their preliminary route.
Bryce Bencivengo, CAMPO’s community outreach coordinator, said money was allocated for the project. However, because of the drastic design change, CAMPO may have to strike it from its plan.
CAMPO has been gathering public comments on that issue in advance of an Oct. 14 decision. Bencivengo said the loop may return on a future CAMPO transportation plan.
Meanwhile, Hays County is moving forward with the project in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The two groups are planning phase 1, which stretches from Yarrington Road to FM 150. Discussions are underway regarding which entity will work on the remaining phases.
Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the project will alleviate congestion in downtown Kyle.
Hays County will fund project development. According to Jennifer Scott, Jones’ executive assistant, the county chose an engineering firm to help prepare environmental studies, right-of-way mapping and schematic designs. Construction plans will be done in the future.
“Cost estimates and the development/construction schedule for the project will be prepared as part of the consultant’s early work,” Jones said in email.
Also up in the air are the construction funding sources and how much participation Kyle will have. Both have yet to be determined.
Scott said the project will realign a portion of RM 150 in downtown Kyle.
“Part of the development of this project will include removing that portion of RM 150 from the State Highway System and transferring it to Kyle for maintenance and operation as a city street,” Scott said.
The end result is a roadway allowing travelers to bypass Kyle to reach RM 150, allowing easier access to IH-35 and Austin.
Jones was excited at the prospect of a loop extending around Kyle, especially with the city’s fast growth. He referred to Loop 1604 in San Antonio and its success.
“It is a really good project,” Jones said. “… the earlier a city can build loops, the better.”
TxDOT will construct the project, which is slated to begin within the next five years.
But Kyle Loop will not be possible without the Robert S. Light extension, or Buda Truck Bypass. The bypass will connect Robert S. Light Boulevard with FM 1626, cutting across FM 2770. Eventually, it will connect with the northernmost portion of the Kyle Loop. It is set for letting in 2016.
CAMPO is assisting by placing the project in its 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), with TxDOT funding and constructing the road. It is required for any project in the CAMPO area that has a let date of 2016, and receives federal funds, be included in the TIP.
Hays County officials project a cost of $18.5 million dollars, with $4 million from Category 11 Funds – discretionary dollars from the TxDOT District Office. Preliminary funding from Hays County will be $14.5 million dollars. Engineering firm HDR was contracted by the county to help provide environmental documentation, right-of-way mapping and construction plans, according to Scott.
The project provides a unique challenge, as acquiring right-of-way went through lands owned by Eagle Materials. That company owns Texas Lehigh and Cen-Tex Construction Products.
Unlike normal right-of-way, which is done on a two dimensional plane, HDR and the county had to work on three dimensions. They had to account for minerals deep underground – which Eagle had rights to. That increased cost and complexity.
Current right-of-way and utility estimates from Hays County is projected at $2 million dollars.
The end result is to alleviate big rig traffic on FM 2770 and FM 967, redirecting it to 1626 – a problem that has plagued the city for some time.
It will also remove portions of FM 2770 and FM 967 from the state highway system, placing them in the city’s hands.
The bypass has been in the works for the past 15 years and only recently came to fruition. The city of Buda has the bypass in its 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
“We are beyond excited. It enables us to clear big rig traffic from downtown,” Mayor Todd Ruge said. “It will give an outlet for traffic on 2770 and 1626. Essentially, it’s another loop for the city.”
