Texas Expanded Use of Roundabouts for Road Safety
The state is increasing roundabout installations to curb traffic accidents and improve intersection safety.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Car Types
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The Texas Department of Transportation has expanded its use of roundabouts, with new projects underway in San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Seguin. These infrastructure changes aim to improve driver safety by eliminating right-angle intersections.
Why it matters
Roundabouts significantly improve road safety by forcing drivers to slow down and preventing high-impact T-bone collisions. Officials are prioritizing these designs in high-crash corridors like Ranch-to-Market Road 32 to reduce injury rates.
There are currently over 800 roundabouts across Texas and approximately 30 within the San Antonio area. Nationally, the United States features about 11,000 of these traffic control structures.
The players
Texas Department of Transportation
This is the state agency responsible for planning, designing, and maintaining the transportation infrastructure across Texas.
Federal Highway Administration
This federal agency provides expertise and funding to support the development and safety of the national road system.
The details
New construction is occurring at Highway 90, Hunt Lane, and Ray Ellison Boulevard, alongside a fidget spinner roundabout at Interstate 10 and Loop 1604. Beyond these, the state is also moving forward with diverging diamond interchange projects to manage traffic flow.
Timeline
1907: First modern roundabout built in San Jose, California.
1953: Oldest roundabout in the San Antonio area dates to this.
2019: Displaced left turn installed at Bandera Road and Loop 1604.
September 2026: Construction began on the Southeast Military Drive diverging diamond.
September 21, 2026: Start of Roundabouts Week.
Roadmap
The transition to roundabouts marks a departure from traditional traffic signal reliance toward more passive safety designs that force lower speeds. This shift positions Texas to align with national trends aimed at reducing severe intersection-related fatalities.
Drivers in San Antonio and the Hill Country can expect altered traffic patterns and reduced wait times at major intersections. These changes are intended to lower the risk of severe crashes for local commuters navigating high-traffic zones.
The takeaway
Roundabouts are becoming a standard tool for state planners to mitigate the risks associated with high-speed, right-angle traffic collisions. Residents should practice caution when navigating new circular intersections as construction projects reach completion.
What happens next
An official groundbreaking for the Southeast Military Drive and Interstate 37 project is expected to be announced later this month.
Further reading
For more on evolving road designs, see Car Types.
Live Poll
Do you believe replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts improves traffic safety in your area?
