DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia's first diverging diamond interchange opened to drivers Sunday evening.
Crews spent Sunday putting the final touches on the diverging diamond interchange, a unique interchange originally set to open Monday at 5 a.m.
The interchange opened just before 6 p.m. Sunday, well before rush hour traffic descends upon metro Atlanta's busiest office district on Ashford Dunwoody Road.
"We have law enforcement out there right now that have been helping us with the construction all weekend as far as traffic control," DOT spokeswoman Jill Goldberg said. "They're going to be doing the same thing on hand to assist and make sure this flows as smoothly as possible at the first opening."
Traffic on Ashford Dunwoody Road will cross from the right side of the roadway to the left side at a ramp intersection, so drivers can make free left turns onto the I-285 freeway on-ramp. Traffic will then cross back to the right side of the road at a second ramp intersection.
"It sounds crazy, but hopefully it will help with traffic around here," driver Joseph Bertulfo told Channel 2's Erica Byfield who was in the area Sunday morning.
"Be prepared for it to be different, but it is clearly marked," Goldberg said. "The signals are going to be completely operational and you just follow what the signals are telling you to do."
Byfield spoke to drivers who said they are slightly intimidated by the concept of navigating Georgia's first diverging diamond. But they are also desperate for traffic near I-285 and Ashford Dunwoody Road to improve that they are willing to try anything.
"It can be pretty bad, especially around 3 in the afternoon, until about 6 or 7 with everyone trying to come in for dinner around this area," Bertfulo said.
DOT officials closed the bridge over the interstate on Friday night to start work on the interchange.
Contractors fanned out in the area to pour out concrete, install and adjust signals and signs, and pave and re-stripe roads for the new configuration.
DOT officials said the area will remain an active construction zone for several more months with crews adding pedestrian islands and signals.
The interchange is expected to shave around 15 minutes off the average morning commute in the area, DOT officials said.
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