CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A diverging diamond interchange where U.S. 29/601 meets Interstate 85 is now open in Cabarrus County. The switch is part of the I-85 widening project from north of exit 55 to north of Moose Road in Rowan County.
“It’s relatively new to North Carolina I would say," NCDOT's Jen Thompson said. “It’s part of that bigger project for about 5 years now to widen I-85 in that area.”
It’s a design similar to the DDI on I-85 at Poplar Tent Road.
“It’s been in operation for about a week now and no issues we haven’t heard from engineers about any hiccups or any major problem with folks understanding with how it works or how it flows," Thompson said.
Here’s how it works.
Before crossing to the opposite side of the road at the traffic signal, drivers may go right to reach the on-ramp.
After crossing over to the other side, drivers may simply turn left, without having to stop or wait for any oncoming traffic, to reach the on-ramp to go in the other direction.
Motorists going straight through the intersection will proceed through a second traffic signal and follow their lane back to the right side of the road.
“It keeps traffic moving at high volumes, fewer traffic signal phases and the ramps are free-flowing as well," Thompson said.
NCDOT officials said with eliminating left turns against on-coming traffic the DDI will also help reduce the potential for crashes.
Especially, as over 100,000 cars travel this stretch of I-85 daily.
It’s proven to be a safety improvement and time saver," Thompson said.