Diverging Diamond Intersection Opens in Round Rock

Despite some last-minute construction the new diverging diamond intersection on Interstate 35 at RM 1431 opened Friday.

The intersection is the first of its kind in Central Texas and is designed to make it easier for drivers to turn onto I-35, reported the Austin American Statesman. Earlier Friday morning, traffic was backed up at the intersection due to closings on the northbound lanes of I-35 and the westbound lanes of RM1431 because of last-minute construction on the intersection.

The roads were opened at 8:20 a.m., three hours later than the original time, Texas Department of Transformation officials told the Statesman.

Construction on the intersection began October 14 and the project cost an estimated $6.6 million, according to the department of transportation.

The diverging diamond intersection on RM 1431 is the first to be built in Central Texas, so drivers, be careful. In case anybody needs some advice on how to approach this tangled construction of streets, here are some tips.

How it works:

• Two phase traffic signals are installed at the roadway crossover points.
  
• Once on the left side of the road, drivers can freely turn left, rather than waiting for oncoming traffic to clear or for a left-turn signal. Or, drivers can continue straight and will switch back to the right side of the roadway once they’ve cleared the intersection.
  
• U-turn lanes are also included in a DDI, making left-turns from the cross-streets safer and more efficient.
  
• Through-traffic on the frontage road bypasses the intersection via a bypass lane and proceeds straight through the cross-street intersection, allowing drivers to avoid the traffic signal.

[Photo courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation]