Diverging diamond work slows drivers in Gwinnett

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Road work and lane closures are slowing drivers near a busy Gwinnett County intersection. It's all part of a massive project to convert the Pleasant Hill Road Bridge over Interstate 85 into a diverging diamond interchange.

Gwinnett County drivers say backups and congestion there are the norm.

"It's like this all the time, back to back traffic no matter what time of day it is," James Miller told Channel 2's Ashley Swann.

The county hopes a diverging diamond interchange will help. Crews are already hard at work on the project, which will allow traffic to cross over the other side of the bridge as drivers cross the interstate, eliminating the need for left turns.

One was put in on Ashford Dunwoody Road near Perimeter Mall last year and another is in the works in Gwinnett at I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

Drivers like Miller said they like what they see and are optimistic about the plans.

"Hopefully it will help the exit here go a little smoother," Miller said.

But some businesses, like Evolution Home Theater, which is just steps away from the construction zone, have concerns.

"With all the construction going on, sometimes people can't even get in our driveway," sales manager Patrick Foster told Swann.

He said they've already lost their sign and part of their parking lot. Foster hopes customers won't be next.

"I've seen the plans from the county and it looks like a nice design," said Foster. "But we'll just have to see how it all ends up. It looks like it's going to be a pretty long process."

The interchange should be completed by the end of the summer.

WSBTV