TxDOT outlines Loop 322/State Highway 36 intersection redesign; board plans October public layout

TxDOT staff presented proposed operational improvements for the Loop 322/State Highway 36 corridor and described design options intended to reduce conflict points at a busy Expo Center intersection. Staff said the current two'way frontage road configuration creates a major conflict where an entrance ramp crosses northbound traffic; the proposed reconfiguration would keep two'way function from Expo Drive down to East South 27th while converting the segment from SH 36 to Expo to one'way, and would realign ramps to avoid routing neighborhood traffic through residential streets.

A TxDOT project lead summarized the safety rationale: "One of the key factors ... is relocating the southbound entrance ramp north of where we're going to have northbound traffic take Expo so that we don't have that conflict of potential for head on, crashes." Board members and neighborhood representatives asked whether a dedicated public meeting would be held; staff agreed to prepare layouts and present them at the October meeting and to coordinate with the Expo Center and neighborhood associations on design changes intended to limit through traffic in residential areas.

TxDOT also noted smaller operational options under consideration, including a possible u'turn element and other lane configuration changes; staff said final designs will be presented for public input and further review.