Diverging Diamond Interchange at QEW/Glendale introduces new concept
Ontario’s first DDI opened September 26th. Image: Twitter
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Ontario is following up the introduction of round-abouts with a new concept: the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).
QEW/Glendale Avenue Interchange Replacement between St. Catherine’s and Niagara-on-the-Lake opened on September 26th, 2022.
Ontario’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange opened Sept 26.
— Ontario Ministry of Transportation (@ONtransport) September 27, 2022
The new QEW/Glendale interchange makes it easier to exit safely, increases visibility and improves traffic flow.
Check out the clip below to see how or watch the full video at: https://t.co/nV4fOoa1uq pic.twitter.com/oe33J8g862
From the project website:
“The project includes the reconstruction of the QEW/Glendale Avenue Interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). Additionally, the Glendale Avenue/York Road intersection will be reconstructed to a single-lane roundabout, and a new Airport Road ramp and connection road from Glendale Avenue to York Road/Airport Road intersection will be constructed on behalf of Niagara Region.
The Diverging Diamond Interchange will allow for performance improvement by reducing vehicle conflict points along with allowing unrestricted turning movements. It accomplishes this by reconfiguring the traffic lanes to allow for direct access to all four directional highway ramps.
The proposed roundabout will provide improvements to the intersection performance by allowing free flow of all high-volume movements which in turn will reduce the current and forecast length of queues related to the westbound and southbound traffic flow.
The new Airport Road connection from Glendale Avenue allows for a direct route for traffic to the historic Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake tourist area by removing the need to navigate left and right turns through two intersections within proximity to one another, and by diverting some traffic from the Glendale Avenue/York Road intersection.”
Twitter responses to date include: “What the actual hell?” and “Now, if only people had a top down view while actually driving this monstosity…”
Others are more appreciative, at least of the clear instructions: “That’s a very cool and clear video. Thanks for sharing.” No one has yet commented on actually driving the Gledale DDI.
