Kyle's realigned FM 150 eases 'nightmare' congestion

The new road cost $7.07 million, and the cost was shared by the city of Kyle, which picked up $3.5 million, and the county, which partnered with TxDOT for the remainder. Under the terms of the bond project approved by voters in 2008, the county is eligible to receive a refund from TxDOT for a portion of the road cost based on how many cars travel on it.

The county and TxDOT combined the FM 150 realignment with a project that will construct 2.7 miles of new southbound I-35 access roads. The combined cost of the two projects was expected to be $18 million, and the county is eligible to receive a refund of up to $19.2 million.

Kyle City Manager Lanny Lambert said the city will not be eligible to receive a refund from TxDOT, but city leaders thought enough of the project that they were willing to spend $3.5 million on it.

"There is less congestion," Lambert said. "That intersection at FM 150 and the frontage road, that thing was a nightmare of congestion, and that ought to be all cleared up by now."

Ingalsbe said she is confident Kyle will reap a benefit in the form of economic development.

"I hope that we will get some prospects coming into the city of Kyle," Ingalsbe said. "It will open up the possibility of additional economic development to occur."