DRIVE THIS WAY — INNOVATIVE CALGARY DIAMOND CALLS FOR A MENTAL RESET A diverging diamond interchange — the first of its kind in Canada — has partially opened at Calgary’s Macleod Trail and 162nd Avenue. Officials say the design of the $78-million project means that traffic flow is safer and more effective than it would be if the interchange used a more traditional design. But the interchange is going to require some getting used to on the part of drivers. Traffic switches to the opposite or left side of the overpass, meaning that, for a time, drivers are on what they would normally consider the wrong side of the road. Drivers using the diverging diamond’s overpass to turn left
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onto Macleod or continue east or west will crisscross at intersections controlled by traffic lights. There’s no left turning, in other words, in front of oncoming traffic. It’s estimated that 100,000 vehicles per day will put the diverging diamond to test. Prime consultant on the project is ISL Engineer- ing and Land Services Ltd., an APEGA Permit Holder.
GIVING DIRECTIONS? Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi (photo left) speaks at the opening of the new diverging diamond interchange (diagram below). -photo and diagram courtesy City of Calgary
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