Texas Department of Transportation officials have informed the city of Kyle that one of its increasingly busy intersections will not be transformed into a roundabout. Mayor Todd Webster said Sept. 1 at Kyle City Council’s regular meeting that the city had received correspondence that day that TxDOT would be installing a traffic signal at the Kohlers Crossing-FM 1626 intersection instead of a roundabout, which seemed to be the choice of many council members despite being more expensive than the former. “As discussed earlier TxDOT will proceed with issuance of [a] work order to install a signal at [the] subject intersection,” said Victor Vargas, TxDOT engineer for the South Travis County area, in a Sept. 1 email to City Manager Scott Sellers. “This does not remove the possibility of round a bout [sic] at [the] intersection in the future. TxDOT will continue to work with the city of Kyle as the community grows and the needs change.” In 2013, TxDOT began a traffic study to see whether a roundabout would suit the intersection of FM 1626 and Kohlers Crossing. But as council members heard constituents voice concerns about the prospect of a roundabout, discussion stalled. On July 21, after hearing a staff presentation on the merits of roundabouts, Kyle City Council directed staff to prepare a resolution in support of a two-lane roundabout at the intersection near the Austin Community College Hays campus and Hays CISD’s Performing Arts Center. However, no such resolution came, Mayor Todd Webster said, and TxDOT moved forward with a traffic light, the cost of which is likely to be covered by state funds. “We didn’t make a decision,” Webster said. “At the point where we had the chance to make that decision we missed that opportunity. We will not have as safe of an intersection, but it will be the one that’s popular on Facebook.”

Hands-free ordinance

At the Sept. 1 meeting, council enacted an ordinance banning the manual use of electronic devices while driving, also known as a hands-free ordinance. The measure received unanimous approval and comes nearly two months after Buda City Council enacted a similar ordinance. Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd has said the city will begin enforcing the ordinance in September. Under the ordinance motorists and cyclists cannot make a phone call, text, take or view pictures, or play video games while operating their vehicle or bicycle. Exceptions include using hands-free devices, such as a wireless Bluetooth car kit, and using electronic devices while legally parked. The offense is punishable by a $100-$500 fine on first offense, a $200-$500 fine on second offense and a minimum $500 fine on third or subsequent offenses. The Kyle ordinance states only warning citations will be issued through Nov. 1 so as to educate citizens about the new law.