Diverging diamond intersection coming to Williams Drive at I-35 in Georgetown breaks ground virtually

The I-35 at Williams Drive project in Georgetown is officially underway as of Oct. 6.

The Texas Department of Transportation was joined by Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, U.S. Rep. John Carter and Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross to celebrate a virtual groundbreaking for the project.

“Today, I am happy to announce we are beginning construction on a new innovative intersection in Williamson County,” TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson said. “This project will enhance safety and mobility by reconstructing the I-35 at Williams Drive intersection, building bypass lanes and constructing frontage road improvements.”

The I-35 at Williams Drive project includes the construction of a new Williams Drive bridge over I-35 to accommodate a diverging diamond intersection, northbound and southbound intersection bypass lanes under the Williams Drive bridge, extension of the northbound I-35 frontage road, and improvements to the existing southbound I-35 frontage road and the Austin Avenue intersection at Williams Drive, a news release said.

“The improvements that we are making today reflect Gov. Greg Abbott’s commitment to clear the choke points throughout the state of Texas,” Bugg said. “This is an important project that will enhance safety and mobility in Williamson County.”

The intersection design improves safety by briefly placing opposing left-turning traffic on the opposite side of the road, reducing potential conflicts at intersections, the release said, adding that it also allows traffic to travel more efficiently through the intersection. The project is anticipated to be complete in mid-2023.

With approximately 138,000 vehicles traveling on this segment of I-35 each day, this project will reduce backups on frontage roads and cross-streets, the release said.

“I-35 is a key part of Georgetown’s transportation infrastructure,” Ross said. “A lot of us use it and know how backed up it can get. I can’t wait for the new, safer and quicker drive.”

The groundbreaking video can be watched here.