Iowa will open the state’s first diverging diamond interchange on I-80 next week — and they hope motorists are prepared for the change.
The new interchange, which cost the state $50 million, is scheduled to open on December 8 at noon. Also known as the Grand Prairie Parkway Interchange, it is located three miles west of Jordan Creek Parkway.
Officials expect to see 12,000 drivers use the new interchange on its first day, but they hope that it will be a “non-event” for Iowa residents who may be unfamiliar with the style of interchange.
Iowa officials are hoping that the interchange will result in few accidents and increased traffic efficiency by allowing drivers to freely merge onto the interstate instead of waiting for a traffic signal. The Grand Prairie Parkway Interchange project has been in the works for 15 years.
The city of Waukee created the video below to help drivers unfamiliar with the diverging diamond concept to navigate the interchange.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKpLquQTbGw&feature=youtu.be” width=”700″ height=”500″]
Sources:
The Des Moines Register
Radio Iowa
WHO TV