City of Kyle receives $1.8 million HUD grant for road work

The City of Kyle has received a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for road repairs, the city announced Friday.

The grant will go toward the reconstruction of a portion of Windy Hill Road at Richmond Branch. The city will contribute an additional $1.6 million of its own funds for the project.

“Being the recipient of a federal award from HUD that will improve and enhance public safety is a real win for Kyle,” Mayor Travis Mitchell said in a statement. “By collaborating with entities such as HUD, our resources can be utilized in a more cost-effective manner.”

The city asked for the funding for this work after two destructive floods in the Kyle area in 2015 and numerous low-water crossing closures during heavy rainfall.

The project will occur 500 feet west of Cherrywood Drive and 500 feet east of Purple Martin Drive. The improvements will help travel between Interstate 35, Farm-to-Market Road 2001 and State Highway 21. The work done will help improve travel for the adjacent developments surrounded by low-water crossings with closure of Windy Hill and Richmond Branch, the city said.

Kyle will perform several improvements to Windy Hill under the direction of the Texas General Land Office — Road widening, drainage improvements, adding turn lane capacity, installing safety lighting and enhancing pedestrian mobility, the city said.

According to a press release, the city was able to show that the work is necessary because many who reside in nearby developments are surrounded by low-water crossings, which affects their evacuation or travel during substantial rain events. Additionally, the city said it met one provision of the funding because approximately 48% of residents living adjacent to the project are low-to-moderate income.

“When water on roadways closes or reroutes travelers, and when water rises to unsafe levels, that is a threat to public health, safety and welfare,” Kyle Engineer Jo Ann Garcia said in a statement. “This funding will allow us to make needed improvements to that stretch of road and ultimately improve the quality of life for many of our city’s residents and those who utilize our roadways in their daily travels.”

According to the city, no displacement of homes or residents is expected with this project.