In South Strabane, Wolf praises state’s first diverging diamond
Governor Tom Wolf speaks during the dedication of the state’s first diverging diamond interchange on Route 19 in Washington Thursday.
An outline of the state’s first diverging diamond interchange on Route 19 in Washington is shown Thursday.
Observer-Reporter
The diverging diamond in South Strabane Township is shown in this file photo.
There has been only one vehicle crash in a highly congested area since traffic was redirected through a new junction on Route 19 (Murtland Avenue).
In the state’s first diverging diamond interchange, traffic must cross over and switch lanes, with traffic signals directing flow to allow drivers to either proceed through or get on the highway in either direction.
“It’s improving safety by reducing traffic contact points. That’s exactly what the DDI (diverging diamond interchange) does,” said state Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards.
“As these have become more popular, we’re seeing results that are good across the country. This design reduces the severity and frequency of crashes. Traffic flow is improved because the interchange can handle more vehicles.”
Richards and Gov. Tom Wolf were in South Strabane Township Thursday to mark the completion of the innovative junction, which opened to vehicles in September.
Wolf praised the project, which is a part of Interstate 70 improvements along a 40-mile stretch from Washington to New Stanton, and said 90 percent of the $63 million price tag was federally funded.
“This is different, yes, and human beings, I know, hate change. But this really works,” said Wolf, who said he drove through the interchange before the ceremony. “I think this is really important. It’s doing what you’re supposed to do, what we’re all supposed to do, in making the highways safer. (It’s) more convenient and easier to use and (done) in a way that really serves the public.”
The 73rd diverging diamond interchange in the country, South Strabane’s new intersection utilizes the previous cloverleaf interchange’s footprint.
Joseph Szczur, district executive for PennDOT District 12, said the project was a priority for years. A traditional modern intersection would require much more space, thus infringing on local properties and businesses.
Traffic is guided through the cross-over by signs, pavement markings, curbed islands and arrows on the travel lanes. A concrete glare screen was installed between the cross-over to prevent motorist distraction.
“We always want to apply a lot of imagination and ingenuity and also innovation,” he said.
PennDOT unveiled another innovative traffic pattern in North Strabane in 2015 – a dual roundabout at the intersection of Route 519 and Brownlee and Thomas-Eighty Four roads. There are plans for roundabouts to be used in Bentleyville and New Stanton.
Richards introduced the department’s new Road Maintenance and Preservation initiative (Road MaP), which will invest $2.1 billion in highway and bridge projects over next 10 years.
A part of that initiative, according to PennDOT, is addressing low-volume roads, using recycled asphalt. Recycled asphalt paving repurposes materials from other projects by mixing ground millings with oil, and allows the department to pave less-traveled roads that otherwise would not be paved.
Golden Triangle Construction of Imperial was the general contractor on the diverging diamond interchange, which started in Nov. 2014.
A video simulation of diverging diamond traffic flow and information on I-70 projects can be found at www.I-70Projects.com.