Kennedale seeks bond funds to finish Little School Road design after cost estimates balloon to $30M–$40M

Kennedale officials told the city council on June 15 that the Little School Road project’s cost estimates have risen markedly since the project was first pitched to Tarrant County in 2021, and staff asked the council to consider using part of a proposed $5,000,000 bond to complete the road’s 100% design.

City Manager Daryl Hall summarized the project’s history and funding context, saying the corridor was included in the Tarrant County transportation bond program but that the early $13,000,000 figure "was not accurate" and "now we're at the 30 to 40,000,000 dollar project." Hall and engineering consultant Sydney of Friese Nichols said the city previously allocated roughly $1,180,000 for a 30% design but that the 30% package remains incomplete; Sydney estimated roughly $300,000 of that earlier allocation has been spent to date.

Why it matters: staff said a finished 100% design would strengthen applications for outside funding and county reimbursement (Friese Nichols noted a potential 50% match from Tarrant County), and that some grant and federal programs expect a shovel‑ready project. But several council members pushed back on approving more funds before the previously approved 30% design package is delivered, with one council member saying, "we've already approved over 1,000,000 dollars for the 30% design. That hasn't been produced yet, but now we're being asked to approve more funds towards the project."

Consultants told the council the preferred alignment for phase 1 would impact roughly 7–10 parcels and that alternatives farther south would increase environmental and right‑of‑way work (and cost), possibly affecting a cemetery in the southern alignment. Friese Nichols estimated a reasonable timetable to finish design—excluding right‑of‑way acquisition—at about two years after design work resumed, and said having a completed design file strengthens the city's ability to attract grant and county construction support.

The council also discussed other street projects listed in the proposed bond packet (Peggy Lane, Oak Ridge, Shady Creek, Valley Lane, Grapevine Trail and others) and learned Commissioner Lisa Simmons has verbally pledged $600,000 toward the Eden Road bridge; staff said a formal interlocal agreement and final consultant estimates are pending.

No final decision to issue the proposed bond was taken; staff emphasized that issuing debt for a project that will not start construction within three years could be problematic under bonding counsel guidance, and recommended completing design to demonstrate the city’s investment before pursuing additional funding.