Jones Sausage Bridge closing over I-40 in Garner this weekend
Beginning Friday night, construction will will close the Jones Sausage Bridge over Interstate 40 in Garner.
Construction begins Friday, Nov. 17, at 9 p.m. and is expected to wrap up by Monday, Nov. 20, at 5 a.m. while crews work to place traffic into the final diverging diamond interchange pattern.
When the bridge reopens, there will be two lanes in each direction -- an additional lane on each side of the bridge.
According to Kim Deaner, a spokesperson from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, drivers will no longer have to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
"It reduces the amount of traffic signals you need which speeds up the flow of traffic," Deaner said. "But it keeps people safe because you're no longer making a left turn out in front of incoming traffic."
The following detour will be in place:
- Traffic heading north on Jones Sausage Road will take I-40 East to U.S. 70 Business (Exit 306) and Greenfield Parkway back to I-40 West and Jones Sausage Road.
- Traffic heading south on Jones Sausage Road will take I-40 West to Rock Quarry Road (Exit 300A) and I-40 East back to Jones Sausage Road.
The Triangle's first diverging diamond interchange opened in 2021 at Western Boulevard and Interstate 440, near North Carolina State University and Blue Ridge Road.
The criss-cross traffic pattern was a new experience for many drivers. National studies have shown they do reduce crashes and the severity of injuries, especially after people get used to the new design.
"Take your time," Deaner added. "Give yourself a little bit of extra time. Pay attention to what you're doing. But I think once folks see it and do it one time they're going to be so pleased that it's there."
