Major changes are coming to Loop 360 to help alleviate congestion, including a proposed diverging diamond interchange at the intersection with RM 2222 and an underpass at Courtyard Drive near the Pennybacker Bridge.

The Texas Department of Transportation is hosting a workshop March 7 for residents to learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback.

The meeting is March 7 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Riverbend Church, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin. Residents may stop by the open house at any time.

Proposed changes at Courtyard include removing the traffic signal and having the main lanes of Loop 360 cross under Courtyard. TxDOT is also proposing to add a shared-use path and sidewalks.

Public comments will also be accepted online March 7 through March 22 at www.loop360project.com.

The proposed changes are part of TxDOT's $250 million plan to improve intersections along Loop 360 in an effort to provide congestion relief. The agency is currently working on the preliminary design and environmental work at several intersections.

TxDOT has already hosted meetings at Westlake Drive and Spicewood Springs Road and plans to host a second meeting for improvements at Westlake in the coming months.

In November, the agency conducted a survey in which 378 residents responded. Almost half of respondents use Loop 360 at least five days a week, according to survey results. Their top three priorities are intersection improvements, access on the highway, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Regarding pedestrian and bicycle access, 75 percent of respondents reported they preferred having a shared-use path with a large buffer.

Survey participants also recorded 330 safety concerns on Loop 360. These concerns were related to speed, congestion, blind spots and difficulty accessing the main lanes from side streets.

For more information about the project, visit www.loop360project.com.