MARBLE FALLS, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to replace the interchange at U.S. Route 281 and Texas State Highway 71 in Burnet County with a turbine-style design to improve traffic flow and safety, officials said.
TxDOT spokesperson Kellen Mohrmann said crash rates at the current cloverleaf interchange exceed averages for similar roadways in Texas, with a concentration of collisions in the area.
The proposed turbine interchange would replace the existing loop system, which requires drivers to slow down and merge into faster-moving traffic. The new design would allow vehicles to move more continuously through the interchange and reduce lane weaving.
The project is estimated to cost $243 million and would require the displacement of one residential property.
Some residents expressed support for the plan, citing safety concerns at the intersection. Others raised concerns about potential disruptions during construction, including the relocation of underground utilities such as electricity, water, sewer, and internet services, as well as the possibility of increased truck traffic in the area.
TxDOT said it is collecting public input as part of the planning process. The agency expects to complete an environmental impact report by the end of the year. Construction is not expected to begin until between 2028 and 2033, despite identified funding for the project.