Texas Department of Transportation Expanded Roundabouts
The state is adding new roundabouts to improve safety and cut traffic delays for drivers in the San Antonio area.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Car Types
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The Texas Department of Transportation has launched several new roundabout projects across San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Seguin to improve road safety. These efforts coincide with National Roundabouts Week, which began on September 21, 2026.
Why it matters
Roundabouts significantly improve roadway safety by forcing drivers to slow down and eliminating right-angle intersections. The projects, including two on Ranch-to-Market Road 32, specifically address areas with a high history of crashes.
There are currently over 800 roundabouts throughout Texas and approximately 30 within the San Antonio area. These figures contribute to a national total of roughly 11,000 roundabouts in the U.S.
The players
Texas Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for managing highway infrastructure and ensuring driver safety through modern road engineering.
Federal Highway Administration
The federal body that provides guidance on roadway design and recognized the significance of circular intersections with Roundabouts Week.
The details
By replacing traditional intersections with circular traffic flow, roundabouts remove the possibility of high-speed T-bone collisions. Engineers design these structures to force vehicles to maintain lower speeds while navigating turns. In addition to roundabouts, the agency is deploying diverging diamond interchanges, such as the construction underway at Southeast Military Drive and Interstate 37, to further manage traffic volume.
Timeline
1907: The first modern roundabout was built in San Jose, California.
1953: The oldest roundabout in the San Antonio area was established.
September 2026: Construction began on the Southeast Military Drive diverging diamond.
September 21, 2026: Roundabouts Week commenced.
The Home Front
These new projects continue a decade-long trend of local traffic management shifts aimed at increasing intersection efficiency. This move builds upon the engineering precedent set by the 2019 installation of a displaced left turn at Bandera Road and Loop 1604.
Drivers in San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Seguin should anticipate traffic pattern shifts and construction delays near active project sites. Stay alert for updated signage at intersections like Highway 90 and Hunt Lane as these safety configurations are completed.
The takeaway
Roundabouts are an effective tool for reducing severe accidents by forcing lower vehicle speeds. If you commute through active construction zones, plan for potential delays and familiarize yourself with the specific lane-merging rules for the new circular intersections in your area.
What happens next
An official groundbreaking for the Southeast Military Drive and Interstate 37 diverging diamond project will be announced later this month.
Further reading
Learn more about local road infrastructure in our Car Types section.
Live Poll
Do you believe replacing traditional intersections with roundabouts improves traffic safety in your area?
