What’s a diverging diamond? Ohio believes 46/82 project will help 50,000 daily drivers
Ohio Department of Transportation construction team is one year into a diverging diamond onto the Ohio 46 at Ohio 82 interchange project.
They’re restructuring the intersection in Howland and demolishing the Ohio 82 bridge over Ohio 46.
Several roads are closed or restricted to business owners, patrons and commuters, including Ohio 46 underneath the bridge until the end of this week.
How can a diverging diamond help with traffic?
This intersection in Howland carries over 50,000 vehicles per day, according to ODOT.
In four years, there have been 159 crashes just at this intersection.
These drivers are students, shoppers, sales associates heading to the Eastwood Mall Complex and commuters going to and from home across Trumbull County.
Here’s what the Ohio 46 at Ohio 82 interchange looks like before the project’s completed:
Here’s what the Ohio 46 at Ohio 82 diverging diamond will look like when the project is completed by 2026:
The most significant benefit of making an intersection into a diverging diamond interchange is eliminating left turns against oncoming traffic.
There’s also better sight distance for drivers and fewer traffic signals with this design, according to ODOT.
They aim to “improve safety by reducing congestion and improving left turn movements at the intersection.”
It’s also called a double crossover because drivers going straight continue on their way, just crossing over to the other side.
Drivers in opposite directions wait at a stop light as the cars cross over.
The drivers who want to turn left wait at a stop light and stay left until the road veers onto your following route. There’s no extra pause to turn left into oncoming traffic.
Experts say to follow the concrete barriers and road signs for extra guidance.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2024 at 1:29 PM.
