So this is kind of neat. Apparently Nebraska Department of Roads is considering the use of a "double diamond" interchange at NW 48th Street and I-80. It's a bit difficult to describe, but fortunately there's a good video explaining how it all works.
The ultimate goal, I guess, is to decrease left turns across traffic. To do that, though, you have to use some trickery. In this case, the trickery involves flip-flopping traffic from the right to the left side of the road. From above it makes a lot of sense. I'm not sure how obvious it is to a driver who has never seen such a thing before. No doubt the Lincolnites who still haven't figured out roundabouts will panic, but that's no big surprise.
As I watched the video for the first time, my mind began to wander away from NW 48th Street to a much different intersection. I wonder if, somehow, double diamond-esque principles could be utilized in the 14th / Old Cheney / Warlick area. The City has solicited proposals from three different firms for that cluster of fun so now is the time to be thinking about these things. Could "flipping" traffic address some of the area's problems? If you figure out how to make it work you'll be a hero to all the folks who have to drive through there.
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I like it.
This type of interchange needed at Fletcher Ave and Interstate 180 (Purple Heart Highway) Crossing length would be greatly decreased with new design.
As my husband said… if you need a video to explain it…
We’re vacationing in another state right now, which has a multi lane roundabout. After traveling on it several times now, I have vowed to NEVER use the new one on Superior. Ever.
There’s one of these at I-44 and Kansas Expressway in Springfield MO. First time through was a little disconcerting, but it works really well. If you can tell red from green, and follow the painted lines on the road (okay, some Lincoln drivers have trouble with that), it isn’t bad at all.
If they can execute it as simply as the design on paper looks, then I’m all for it. I think it looks easier to navigate than the roundabouts downtown.
I wonder how the painted signage (stripes, arrows, etc.) will work when there is snow on the ground?
I don’t think it’s that tricky. Curbs and lights kind of point you to exactly where you need to go. I am sure there will be signs for the Interstate on-ramps.
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