The new intersection is on track to open to traffic in early October, said Brad Wheelis, a public information officer with the Texas Department of Transportation.
The diverging diamond will temporarily switch the lanes when Parmer crosses I-35, so drivers will be on the left side of the road. The design allows for through and left-turning traffic to move through the intersection simultaneously.
The design is not the only one of its kind on I-35: It has already been implemented at I-35 and RM 1431. TxDOT is also working on a diverging diamond intersection at Williams Drive and I-35, which has an anticipated completion of mid-2023, according to the agency's website.
“After the bridge is in the [diverging diamond intersection] configuration, crews will construct the median island across the bridge; finalize pedestrian elements; install and complete drainage, wastewater and high-mast illumination,” Wheelis said.
He added TxDOT will also reconstruct the North Lamar Boulevard and Parmer intersection. That part of the project includes implementing right-turn lanes and dual left-turn lanes from Parmer to North Lamar.
The entire project is expected to be complete in early 2022. It costs $24.6 million with funding coming from Texas Clear Lanes and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
