Texas Department of Transportation crews on June 10 shifted traffic on Slaughter Lane to a temporary road in order to begin construction on a diverging diamond overpass at the intersection of MoPac and Slaughter.

The under-construction diverging diamond configuration is considered a long-term solution for the intersection. The design reduces the number of traffic signal changes necessary to get cars through the intersection and allows certain traffic to travel through the overpass without stopping.

The overpass construction, which TxDOT estimates will take about six months to complete, will increase travel times for drivers through the intersection, according to TxDOT spokesperson Brad Wheelis. During construction of the overpass, the right-turn lanes from MoPac onto Slaughter in both directions will be closed, while a through lane will be used as a through and turn lane, he said.

According to TxDOT documents about the project, no additional right of way was needed for the design, and business access from Slaughter will not be impacted by the intersection when completed. A dedicated bike lane will be installed across Slaughter Lane, and pedestrian crosswalks will be available.

The new overpass is part of the larger MoPac Intersection Project, which aims to improve traffic flow and safety at Slaughter and La Crosse Avenue. The La Crosse overpass will be a typical configuration with signals on both ends. MoPac main lanes will be extended, and a shared-use path between both roads will be built during the project as well.

The overall intersection project will not be completed until 2021, although the new overpasses will be open to traffic before that.