by SEAN KIMMONS

A line of cars pass the unsafe stretch of sidewalk frequented by schoolchildren on Burleson Road in Kyle. Renovations this summer will divert sidewalk traffic onto the berm in front of St. Anthony’s Church. (Photo by Sean Kimmons)

A dangerous stretch of sidewalk on Burleson Road in Kyle frequented by school children may get some safety improvements this summer.

The current sidewalk has no curbs separating it from the busy road, making it possible for cars to swerve onto the walkway.

Earlier this month, the Kyle City Council voted unanimously to instruct city staff to get hard numbers for the construction project, not to exceed $75,000.

Pedestrian traffic will be detoured to a new sidewalk that will be laid down on the berm in front of St. Anthony’s Church. The church agreed to the diversion on its property after the city helped with some of its parking issues, said Kyle Interim City Manager James Earp.

“It’s just a tragedy waiting to happen,” he said in the May 4 city council meeting.

Councilmember David Wilson said that the project should also include crosswalks and a school zone speed limit during school hours.

“This isn’t a budget buster,” he said. “This is a child safety issue.”

The move comes as safety issues arose for students walking along the non-elevated sidewalk to Kyle Elementary School.

Kyle resident Mike Fulton has advocated for the project since fall 2008. He even resorts to riding his bike with his two children to school to keep an eye out for them.

He recalls one incident when a driver quickly pulled onto the sidewalk to drop someone off. It happened so fast that his daughter crashed her bike into the car.

“I’m happy it’s finally happening,” he said. “I don’t know why it took so long. It’s not a very expensive project.”

City workers will perform about 80 percent of the work in-house, lowering the cost of labor and helping the city stay under the projected $75,000 price tag, Earp said.

“I suspect it will come in less than that,” he said.