The diverging diamond interchange system planned for an exit off Interstate 70 in Grand Junction, west of Denver in Colorado, has been delayed so officials can educate the public about the new traffic pattern.
Grand Junction officials had hoped to open a new diverging diamond configuration for Exit 26 on Interstate 70 on December 17, but those plans have been pushed until this spring so transit officials can go to greater lengths to educate the public about the new traffic pattern, which attempts to limit left turns and the deadly "T-Bone" accidents that are common in such intersections.
Grand Junction's engineering manager Trent Prall is quoted in the article: “We thought that opening it during the winter season and in the middle of the holiday season was not the best opportunity for success for the project.”
The article by Monte Wall also describes the function of the innovative intersection system: “The configuration is unique because it eliminates traditional left-hand turns by crossing lanes and shifting drivers to the left side of the road…Designers say this gives drivers direct access to a left-hand interstate on-ramp without waiting at a traffic signal.” The interchange configuration has benefits in safety and capacity.
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