HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
A major change is coming to the Interstate 26/U.S. 25 interchange at Exit 44. It’s part of the I-26 widening project.
Crews will close Exit 44 near Hendersonville, including its on/off ramps, starting at 7 p.m. Friday before reopening it by 6 a.m. Monday as a “diverging diamond.”
The diverging diamond interchange allows traffic from two directions to temporarily cross to the left side of the road, like the Airport Road interchange 4 miles away.
“This one major operation will greatly increase capacity, traffic flow and safety of the interchange for all users starting Monday and lasting decades into the future,” Division 14 Engineer Wanda Payne said in a news release. “Diverging diamonds are proven to save time, and more importantly, save lives. And we are eager to open this one in Division 14 for the benefit of our residents, visitors, business owners and those who deliver goods and services to our area.”
A detour with flaggers and law enforcement will direct traffic along Rugby Drive, Rugby Road and Butler Bridge Road, the news release said. Residents will have access to their homes, and patrons may visit businesses along U.S. 25 beyond the detour route up to the bridge.
About a half-dozen sub-contracted companies will have crews working on the interchange this weekend. They will be moving traffic signals, pouring concrete medians, completing concrete islands and striping new pavement markings, according to the news release.
This interchange will open Monday with one lane in each direction of U.S. 25 closed, NCDOT said in the release. Crews will be building the center safety walls and installing permanent traffic signals over the following two weeks. The one-lane pattern will also give drivers a chance to familiarize themselves with the diverging diamond traffic pattern.
The diverging diamond pattern
According to the NCDOT, diverging diamond interchanges have successfully reduced congestion, increased ramp capacity, and improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities in North Carolina and across the country.
“One national study revealed a 37 percent reduction in total crashes and a 54 percent reduction of injury and fatal crashes after interchanges switch to a diverging diamond,” the news release said.
The crossovers gently transition – or diverge – traffic from the right side of the road to the left side of the road and then back again, the news release said. Because traffic is on the left-hand side between the crossovers, all left turns occur without having to cross opposing traffic. It moves high volumes of traffic through an intersection without increasing the number of lanes and traffic signals, providing easier access to an interstate.
Tips for navigating the diverging diamond
When driving through a diverging diamond interchange, motorists proceed through a traffic signal at the entrance to the interchange and simply follow their lane to the opposite side of the roadway, the NCDOT news release said. Pavement markings and signals direct motorists where they need to go.
According to the news release, motorists accessing the interstate have two options: Before they cross to the other side at the traffic signal, drivers may go right to reach the on-ramp. Or, after they have crossed 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 proceed through a second traffic signal and follow their lane back to the right side of the road.
NCDOT officials anticipate completing the Henderson County section of I-26 widening this fall.