Kyle City Council members voted to show support for a potential roundabout at the intersection of Dorman Street and FM 1626 at a July 19 meeting.

A week before, the Texas Department of Transportation alerted the city that the intersection at Dorman and FM 1626 warranted a traffic control device, and recommended a roundabout, Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said.

"TxDOT has been very open to partner with the city of Kyle. They want to do what the city of Kyle wants to do," Sellers said.

Although TxDOT didn’t confirm or guarantee the funds for a roundabout, representatives did indicate to Sellers that if the city supported a roundabout at this intersection, then TxDOT most likely would support it financially, Sellers said.

“They want the city to be united and to champion the cause,” he said.

However, previously proposed roundabouts haven’t had much support from Kyle residents. The intersection of Kohler’s Crossing and FM 1626, now directed with traffic lights, was at one time intended to be the site of a roundabout. It had caused a “controversy,” council members said.

District 6 Council Member Daphne Tenorio thought the placement of a roundabout at Dorman and FM 1626 could be dangerous, considering its proximity to the local Austin Community College Hays campus. It could be difficult for young drivers to navigate, she said.

“I can’t support this,” Tenorio said. “This is Austin, not Kyle. Let’s make decisions based on Kyle.”

Tenorio emphasized the importance of asking the community about their opinion before making a decision regarding roundabouts.

“They’re the ones who will have to drive on it,” she said.

According to studies presented to council by city staff, roundabouts tend to be safer than intersections. In one study, converting a four-way intersection to a roundabout yielded a 35 percent reduction in the number of crashes, while the crashes that did occur were 76 percent less severe.

The council voted to show support for a roundabout at Dorman and FM 1626 5-1. Only Tenorio opposed, and District 2 Council Member Becky Selbera was ill and did not go to the meeting. This decision didn’t mean to city committed to any deals or legislation, Council Member District 3 Shane Arabie made sure to clarify.