SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio drivers will soon encounter more roundabouts and unconventional intersections as the Texas Department of Transportation expands the use of “innovative intersections” across the San Antonio District.
TxDOT has two roundabouts under construction or nearing construction in San Antonio, with additional projects planned in New Braunfels, Seguin and the Texas Hill Country, agency spokesman Jonathon Cotto said.
A traditional roundabout is planned at U.S. 90, Hunt Lane and Ray Ellison Boulevard. Another project will create a “fidget spinner” roundabout at Interstate 10 West and Loop 1604.
The fidget spinner design uses four partial roundabouts and gets its name from the three-pronged spinning toy. The project will become the first intersection of its kind in San Antonio.
TxDOT’s expansion of roundabouts comes as the Federal Highway Administration marks Roundabouts Week, an annual effort to increase awareness of the circular intersections and their potential safety benefits.
“The implementation of roundabouts in the San Antonio region is part of a national and international trend driven by these safety and operational benefits,” Cotto said.
Roundabouts eliminate the severe right-angle movements that can cause T-bone crashes at conventional intersections. The Federal Highway Administration says roundabouts can reduce fatal and injury crashes by 82%.
The circular intersections also require drivers to slow down and can reduce delays. They do not require traffic signals, which can lower power and maintenance costs.
San Antonio has about 30 roundabouts, while Texas has more than 800, according to transportation blogger Brian Purcell of Texas Highway Man. The oldest roundabout in the San Antonio area dates to 1953.
The city also has several other unconventional intersection designs.
A diverging diamond interchange at Blanco Road and Loop 1604 shifts traffic to the left side of the roadway, allowing vehicles to make left turns without crossing opposing traffic.
Another diverging diamond is under construction at Southeast Military Drive and Interstate 37. Construction started earlier this month, with TxDOT planning an official groundbreaking later in September.
San Antonio also has a single-point urban interchange at Austin Highway and Harry Wurzbach Road. The design compresses two intersections typically formed from frontage roads into a single intersection.
A signalized displaced-left-turn intersection opened at Bandera Road and Loop 1604 in 2019.
Two additional roundabouts are planned on Ranch Road 32 in the Texas Hill Country because of the area’s high crash rate.
The city’s existing roundabouts have also drawn criticism. The roundabout at McCullough Avenue and Olmos Drive, dating to the 1930s, has experienced crashes. Olmos Park City Council removed a fountain from its center in 2012 after several incidents damaged the structure.
Other roundabouts have incorporated public art. A circle at Blanco Road and Fulton Street features a metal obelisk designed from local artist Angel Rodriguez-Diaz.
TxDOT said the growing use of roundabouts and other intersection designs reflects efforts across the country to improve traffic safety and operations.