Hays County Commissioners and American Structurepoint recently earned a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for exceptional engineering excellence for the FM 3237 and FM 150 Roundabout project in Driftwood. 
Prior to the roundabout, that intersection was a “T” where FM 150 and FM 3237 met; it was an intersection known for vehicle accidents.
The National Engineering Excellence Award recognized Hays County and its contracting team “for a solution to design and build a single-lane roundabout to replace a dangerous T intersection.”
According to a release by American Structurepoint, the project also received a Gold Medal (first-place) Award for engineering excellence from ACEC Texas.
“The project’s goals were to ensure the safety of Hays County residents and travelers by constructing safe and effective transportation improvements in a growing Central Texas community while honoring the community’s character,” Commissioner Lon Shell, Pct. 3, said. “By using a roundabout rather than a traditional T-intersection with traffic signals, the improvements provide a more efficient movement of vehicles, a safer intersection, and environmental benefits.”
Some of the project benefits include:
- Improved traffic flow and safer access
- Installation of Dark Sky-compliant lights*
- Preserving historic oak trees in the center island
- Adding a new sewer storm system and culverts
- Burying an underground telecommunications line, saving the county thousands in relocation costs
* With a warmer amber color, this reduces the glare and amount of lighting reflecting off the roadway while still meeting Texas Department of Transportation design standards.
“American Structurepoint is thankful for the opportunity to partner with Hays County to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians while preserving historic assets important to the community,” said American Structurepoint President Rick Conner.
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