State's first diverging diamond interchange opens in Concord

CONCORD, N.C. — Motorists in Concord became the first in North Carolina to use a new traffic pattern Monday morning -- a diverging diamond interchange.

Crews opened the interchange on Poplar Tent Road overnight and it is expected to ease traffic near Interstate 85, but it could be confusing at first.

The state's first diverging diamond interchange was finished over the weekend as drivers exiting I-85 onto Poplar Tent Road could only make right turns.

Drivers in the area were hoping the traffic construction will be worthwhile as the interchange opened Monday morning. They hope the new diverging diamond interchange will eliminate traffic congestion that's plagued the exit for years.
 
"It was tough getting off of I-85 onto Poplar Tent Road. It was just a pain in the tail to get up in there because it was just so congested. Everybody's coming in from Charlotte that works in the Charlotte area," said John Alvarnas.

Read more: 'Diverging Diamond' Traffic Model To Be Used In Charlotte Area
 
A video from NCDOT demonstrates how the new interchange will work. Drivers who've studied it said it seems overwhelming.
 
"I did look online. It's going to be different," he said. 
 
The interchange will allow traffic headed in both directions to temporarily cross over into the left lane, which will allow easier access onto the interstate. NCDOT said it will also move higher volumes of traffic through the intersection without increasing the number of lanes and traffic signals.

WSOC