Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen continues to invest in roadway improvements that enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and support a higher quality of life for residents. One of the most effective tools being introduced at key intersections is the modern traffic circle, also known as a roundabout. Traffic circles are designed to keep vehicles moving using a yield-on-entry system rather than stop lights or stop signs. This approach reduces congestion, lowers vehicle speeds, and significantly decreases the likelihood of severe crashes.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), modern roundabouts can reduce serious injuries and fatal crashes by as much as 90 percent by eliminating high-speed right-angle and head-on collisions. This means drivers involved in a crash at these intersections are significantly more likely to go home safely.
Watch the progress below:
“As McAllen continues to grow, our responsibility is to ensure that safety remains at the center of every infrastructure decision we make,” said City Manager Isaac J. Tawil. “Projects like modern traffic circles help us manage increased traffic while protecting our residents. We appreciate the patience of our community as we continue building the roadway improvements necessary to support the future growth of our city.”
The roundabout at Freddy Gonzalez Drive and 33rd Street is a major milestone in the Engineering Department’s effort to improve and modernize the city’s roadway infrastructure. Over the past five years, the department has worked with management, City Commission, the public and TxDOT to plan and implement modern traffic circles. This project is the first of five planned for the near future, with four more to be built as funding becomes available.
One of the key goals of these innovative intersections is to improve east–west mobility while maintaining lower travel speeds and enhancing overall roadway safety. Partnering with private developers was critical to making this roundabout possible given limited construction funds. Additional cost savings were achieved by coordinating with McAllen Public Utilities to adjust portions of their infrastructure and with the Traffic Department, which installed signage and pavement markings.
The roundabout at Freddy Gonzalez Drive and 33rd Street currently does not include aesthetic upgrades such as landscaping, public art, or enhanced illumination; those features can be added in the future as the corridor continues to develop.
| Drivers should remember a few simple rules when approaching a roundabout: |
| • Yield to vehicles already in the circle and look to the left before entering |
| • Slow down as you approach |
| • Watch for pedestrians in crosswalks |
| • Travel counterclockwise around the central island |
Through thoughtful planning, strategic partnerships, and continued investment in infrastructure, the City of McAllen is creating safer streets and a more efficient transportation network for the entire community.
