Airport Boulevard at I-40 opens with new diverging diamond interchange

A new traffic pattern opened Monday on Airport Boulevard at Interstate 40.

The diverging diamond design keeps traffic flowing for drivers who are entering and exiting the interstate, eliminating the need for a left turn against oncoming traffic. 

 Kim Deaner, a spokesperson with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said these intersections both speed up the flow of traffic and reduce the total number of crashes.

The new diverging diamond interchange sends cars driving on the left sides of the road, allowing high volumes of traffic to move through an intersection without increasing the number of lanes or using stop lights to cross lanes.

Drivers should plan for longer travel times and pay attention to new signage.

Deaner said this is the Triangle's fourth diverging diamond interchange. The Triangle's first diverging diamond interchange opened in 2021 on Western Boulevard at Interstate 440 in west Raleigh.

The NCDOT closed the Airport Boulevard bridge over I-40 last weekend to complete the finishing touches.