Lehman Rd. closure

Kyle Public Works crews have temporarily closed Lehman Rd. at the low water crossing near Steeplechase Park while they determine the most feasible and expedient manner in which to repair it. City Engineer Leon Barba said Wednesday in an interview that the reason for the closure is a public safety issue.

That part of the road was previously repaired in a different section with a flowable fill, which was a temporary fix. City crews have put off any major repairs since Lehman Road is slated for an overhaul under the road bond package approved by Kyle voters in 2013. Under the current timeline, Lehman is scheduled to begin repairs in April.

Crews have been monitoring that low water crossing since that time. Barba explained that the most recent issue was discovered by a city crew member driving over the low water crossing late Tuesday afternoon. That person saw a hole in the top of the road and called Public Works.

An examination of the situation showed that the pipes under the road, which are estimated at about 20 years old, appear to have rusted along the bottom, creating holes in the pipes. The water from recent rain events going through the pipes under that low water area pulled out the backfill, creating a 7-8 foot deep cavity. Barba pointed out some of the the backfill base that was pushed down stream about 20 yards.

In the photos on this page, a cavern under the road is visible. Under normal conditions, Barba said the pipes would be completely covered with backfill. In essence, from the top of the road it wouldn't be possible to see the pipes.

Because the structural integrity of the road at that low water crossing is compromised, Barba said they needed to close that section.

See the short video interview here.

Public Works Director Harper Wilder said he and Barba, along with Street Division Manager Scott Egbert, are discussing several possible options for fixing the road. City Manager Scott Sellers said he contacted Hays County and said the city may look to them for ideas and support, given all the repairs it made following the October 2015 flood event.

Click here to see a video under the road.

As soon as the city has any update on how and when the road will be repaired and reopened, our communications team will send out that information. Meanwhile, city staff ask that drivers exercise extra caution and patience as they find alternate routes and detours.