There won’t be any product moved through the Permian Highway Pipeline for a year or so, but money from the $2 billion project is going to be hitting some local pockets pretty soon.
Off-duty Kyle Police, as well as officers from other local law enforcement agencies, have been contracted to work security along the path of the pipeline’s construction while they are off duty.
Though local authorities believe a fire that heavily damaged a tree mulching machine working on the pipeline in Blanco County was accidental, vandalism remains a concern along the 430-mile route of Kinder Morgan’s PHP.
Map of pipeline route through Hays County
The city of Kyle has also established other parameters for its relationship to the pipeline and its builder. Those are laid out in the settlement agreement the city signed with Kinder Morgan last October and include protections for the city regarding how the pipeline will affect existing infrastructure and future development projects.
The settlement agreement also includes a $2.7 million payment from Kinder Morgan to the city of Kyle to be delivered in two payments, as well as assurances of protection “from incurring any undue financial burden caused by the pipeline on existing infrastructure, and requires Kinder Morgan participation in the alleviation of conflicts between the PHP and future infrastructure projects within Kyle.
Construction in the local area is expected to begin on the south end of the project’s route through the city and move northward.
According to a map of the route provided by the city of Kyle, the pipeline will cross State Highway 21 near CR 158, and will roughly parallel that roadway through the planned developments of Waterstone and Cool Springs. It takes a southward jag prior to crossing Interstate 35 and then, going northwest, will roughly parallel Opal Lane. The route takes it through BRI/McCoy, Cypress Forest, Six Creeks and Blanco River Ranch. The map cuts off before showing where the project will cross the Blanco River.
In order to speed up the construction timetable, Kinder Morgan split the PHP’s route into five segments, and has started construction along each — including through the city of Kyle. Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said off-duty Kyle officers often work private security. “Local officers are often seen at local businesses and events including movie theaters, hospitals, etc. assisting with public safety needs outside of their official business as a Kyle Police Officer,” he said.
City Manager Scott Sellers also weighed in. “The city of Kyle was one of the first to oppose the pipeline project and was joined by other local municipal governments and Hays County,” he said. “With the project now under construction in our area, our efforts are now focused on safety and preparation. We support all local and regional efforts to provide our residents resources to address safety concerns.”
“If Kinder Morgan is going to build their pipeline through Kyle, I want them to do so in safety,” said Mayor Travis Mitchell.
