Drivers in either Fort Wayne or Greenwood likely will be the first in Indiana to navigate a new traffic pattern called the diverging diamond that has vehicles travel on the wrong side of the road briefly near interstate onramps.
The Indianapolis Star reports that supporters of the design say its cuts down on traffic congestion, is safer and cost less to build than traditional cloverleaf or diamond designs. The design crisscrosses opposing lanes to allow cars to enter the highway without turning left in front of oncoming traffic.
Missouri, Georgia, Maryland, Utah, Tennessee, Kentucky and New York already are using the traffic patterns. The design already has been approved in Fort Wayne and is under consideration in Greenwood, where it could save the city about $3 million.
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com
