'Diverging diamond interchange' may be gaining traction

Local residents and commuters may be warming up to the idea of a "diverging diamond interchange" in Hancock County. About 20 people participated in an online public meeting about proposed improvements to Hancock County Road 99 and Interstate 75. There were plenty of questions, but no heavy opposition to the configuration. The meeting was hosted online by the Ohio Department of Transportation on Thursday. "After driving on diverging diamond interchanges on Central Avenue and I-475 in Toledo and especially on (Ohio) 25 at I-475 in Perrysburg, I am really in favor of this traffic pattern. It makes it so much easier to navigate and traffic moves very smoothly," said one supporter. Alternatives include widening the existing bridge, adding a bridge, or building a "diverging diamond interchange," either with or without bicycle and pedestrian access. A diverging diamond interchange is a type of intersection that directs traffic on the non-freeway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge at the freeway. It is unusual in that it requires traffic on the freeway overpass (or underpass) to briefly drive on the opposite side of the road. The design, which has been used in France since the 1970s, is intended to make the interchange easier to navigate, eliminates last-minute lane changes, and provides better sight distance at turns. It also can help reduce congestion and move high volumes of traffic, without the need to increase the number of lanes at the interchange. A proposal by ODOT in 2005 to reconfigure the interchange at I-75, U.S. 224, with a diverging diamond interchange met with public opposition and was eventually dropped, with ODOT opting instead to add more lanes to the existing overpass. Had it been constructed, it would have been the first interchange with that configuration in the United States. However, the cost of the diverging diamond interchange, in comparison to the other alternatives, did raise some red flags during Thursday's event. "In the opening comments, you mentioned that funding was not in place, and with COVID, it is uncertain when that would happen. Options one (widening the bridge) and two (adding a second bridge) are considerably less expensive, by at least a few million dollars, which is real money and it's our money. Since they are proposed as options, I assume that they are viable options. In my opinion, as a public agency, being a prudent custodian of the public's money should always be of high priority," wrote another participant. ODOT officials said they are interested in seeking a long-term solution for the intersection, and there are clear safety benefits associated with the diverging diamond interchange, which also provides a cost-benefit to the public. Widening the bridge, or adding a second bridge, would cost an estimated $14 million to $17 million to construct. A new diverging diamond interchange, with bicycle and pedestrian access, would cost about $16 million to $19 million; a new diverging diamond interchange with a separate bicycle and pedestrian path, would cost about $18 million to $22 million. Construction could begin in 2023. Information about the project is available on ODOT's website at www.transportation.ohio.gov/Hancock99.Comments about the project may be sent by mail, email, or made by phone. They should be sent to Jennifer Gasser, by mail at P.E. ODOT District 1, 1885 N. McCullough St., Lima OH 45801; by email at Jennifer.Gasser@dot.ohio.gov; or by phone at 419-999-6871. Comments must be received by Sept. 13. All public comments will be documented in the project's "public input summary."