The I-15 interchange at 500 East in American Fork is open, after I-15 CORE workers transformed it into a new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) configuration. The DDI configuration, featured for the first time in Utah at the I-15 interchange at American Fork Main Street, is designed to improve safety. Although the pattern requires drivers to drive on the opposite side of the road from what they are accustomed, the innovation, named by Popular Science as one of the best innovations in 2009, reduces the cross-traffic risk for cars making left-hand turns onto freeway onramps.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqE1Z77ccwQ[/youtube]
Although the 500 East interchange is open, some lane restrictions will remain for a few more weeks to accommodate the completion of retaining walls, sidewalks and landscaping. This is the third DDI to be completed in Utah, after American Fork Main Street and SR 92 in Lehi.
Temperature-dependent work at the intersection of University Parkway and Geneva Road, moved months ahead of schedule, will affect traffic this weekend. All east-west traffic through the intersection will be closed, but north-south traffic on Geneva will remain open.
- Turning east or west onto University Parkway from Geneva will not be allowed. To access the freeway, drivers will need to go north to Orem Center Street ramps, or south to Provo Center Street ramps.
- No turns from westbound University Parkway onto Geneva Road will be allowed.
- From the business park on the west side of Geneva Road, drivers will be allowed to turn onto Geneva Road going north or south.
The I-15 lane shifts through Orem remain, and the 24-mile I-15 CORE freeway reconstruction project is still on schedule for completion in December 2012.
By Jeff Jacobsen – Online Content Manager
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