Of the five roads set for improvements under a $36 million bond approved in May 2013, city leaders in Kyle agree that Bunton Creek Road is in the worst shape. That is why Mayor Todd Webster said Kyle City Council is working with city staff and engineers procured to design the roads so that the process can move as quickly as possible. Original designs for Bunton Creek Road came in about $1.6 million over budget. In October the council moved forward with new designs for Bunton Creek that decreased the scope of construction from a maximum of five lanes to three lanes, which moved the estimated costs closer to the budgeted amount of $5 million. Webster said getting the road bond projects on track was among his priorities when he stepped into office June 10. It had been a year since the bond was passed, and progress had stalled while the city was considering engineering contracts for the five projects. In addition to Bunton Creek, the bond package includes improvements to Goforth and Lehman roads, North Burleson Street and Marketplace Avenue. "Really, for me, I felt we needed to expedite stuff," Webster said. "In an ideal world, they'd already be under construction, and everything would be moving forward." In August, City Engineer Leon Barba presented a preliminary estimate of $6.6 million to complete the work on Bunton Creek Road as initially proposed with a segment of the road expanded to five lanes from Goforth to Dacy Lane and other segments of two to four lanes. Only two lanes currently exist on the road. Engineering and utility line construction account for a greater portion of the total cost than in the original projection because of additional water and wastewater improvements presented in October, city officials said. Project Manager Jo Ann Garcia said she expects to receive the final engineering designs for Bunton Creek Road by February or March. Once engineering is completed and if an environmental study finds no risks, the city would work on finalizing right of way acquisitions. About 19 parcels, totaling more than 2 acres, are needed for the project, Garcia said. The city is aiming to begin construction in September, she said. City of Kyle spokesman Jerry Hendrix said City Council will decide the order of the road bond projects, which will depend largely on which one is ready first. Bunton Creek Road is the farthest along but requires more right of way acquisition than many of the other projects, city officials said. If negotiations with property owners hit a snag, the city could move forward with another project. "We are considering it a race right now for all the projects to hurry up and get there," Barba said. Webster said logistics will play a part in determining the sequence of construction. For example, if another road project east of I-35—such as Goforth Road—were ready for construction before Bunton Creek, work on Bunton Creek would not begin until Goforth is completed. But he said Bunton Creek is without question the most urgently needed project. "It is going to be a much safer road [when construction is complete]," he said. "It is the first one up because it is the most dangerous."