Beginning Jan. 17, motorists traversing the Austin Highway/Harry Wurzbach Road area will get to use a reconfigured intersection of those two major North San Antonio corridors, which local officials said will reduce traffic congestion.

The city’s 2017 bond issue contributed $3 million to an overhaul of the Austin Highway/Harry Wurzbach intersection, turning it into what the city calls a single-point urban interchange, or SPUI.

The Texas Department of Transportation also took part in the road construction, which began in June 2021 and is wrapping up this month, according to a news release.

The city said the SPUI design will improve mobility in the high-traffic intersection by allowing vehicles to go more quickly, safely and efficiently through an intersection. Drivers will see more green light time than red light time and will not have to wait for a green light arrow to make left turns, the release said.

Specifically, the new SPUI design features an elevated interchange with ramps so traffic can access either Harry Wurzbach or Austin Highway.

Northbound and southbound traffic on Harry Wurzbach will be able to flow without interruption, as it had done previously. Drivers who need to get on Austin Highway can easily exit Harry Wurzbach, the release said.

Drivers who need to turn left will no longer need to wait for the green arrow signal. Traffic signals at the interchange allow for opposing directions to turn left simultaneously. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists can easily and safely navigate the intersection, the release said.

City Manager Erik Walsh said in a statement that anyone who regularly travels the Austin Highway/Harry Wurzbach area is familiar with difficulties in driving one road to access the other.

“This new, innovatively designed intersection makes navigating Harry Wurzbach and Austin Highway significantly easier and faster. I’d like to thank TxDOT for their partnership and wish our residents safe and smooth travels,” Walsh said.