Video: Is Niagara’s revolutionary diamond in the rough interchange really a driver’s best friend?
The first reviews are in on the new diverging diamond interchange in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the opinions, at least those expressed on Niagara Region's Facebook page, are just divided as the lanes on Glendale Avenue over the QEW.
People in Niagara still stop in roundabouts. How are they going to manage this?" Anthony London opined.
Wrote Bill Sinden, People are confused enough on how to drive on our highway, and then they build this fiasco!!!!!" Bill Sinden wrote.
James Smith said: It's the new location for tow trucks and ambulances to stand by."
On the other hand, Greg Yacyshyn wrote, It's not a new idea nor is it complicated."
Michael Pagano said, It's pretty easy and simple. The crossover areas are no different from any ordinary plus-shaped intersection, and you don't have to turn left crossing lanes to get on or off the highway."
Lucas D'Amico said considering this is a very busy intersection in Niagara, I believe it warrants the money put into it. It will help with a lot of traffic flow through that area as well as keeping collisions low (which saves tax dollars)."
When the comments didn't settle the debate - because you can't believe everything you read on Facebook - I turned to YouTube.
One of the first videos the algorithm delivered was How divergent diamonds keep you from dying," by an Austin McConnell, who has 1.4 million followers. Now that's more like it.
The video narrator said where two-lane roadways intersect, there are 32 opportunities for drivers to collide with one another, which led engineers to explore ways to keep drivers safe at multiple interchanges while keeping traffic flowing.
One of the answers was the diverging diamond interchange, which Popular Science magazine named one of the best engineering inventions of 2009. There are three in Canada, counting Niagara. The other two are in Regina and Calgary.
The $54-million project in Niagara, which includes a roundabout on York Road, a connection to Airport Road and a commuter lot off Glendale, is scheduled to wrap up in the summer of 2023.
The design shifts vehicles to the left side of the road as they cross the highway. The enhances traffic flow and safety because drivers don't have to turn across oncoming lanes of traffic to access QEW ramps.
The project goal is to help alleviate traffic congestion in an area that includes Canada's largest open-air outlet mall, White Oaks Conference & Resort Spa and a Niagara College campus. Traffic jams occur when too many drivers try to make their way off the highway and the OPP won't allow a line of cars to reach back onto the travel lanes of the QEW.
Armed with all that information and some encouragement from my editor-in-chief, I watched a video link on Niagara Region's webpage, then decided to try the overpass, which opened on Sept. 26.
Looking out at a distance, my first approach was a bit daunting. The small forest of traffic signs, signals and twisting lanes had me gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, and that was before the interchange lanes sent me to what felt like the wrong side of the road for the short trip over the highway.
However, after a couple of trips, I was getting more comfortable - and that's only going to improve once the distraction of temporary concrete barriers, traffic cones and construction equipment is gone.
In the end, it seems Jason Lee, a contract services administrator with the Ministry of Transportation, had the best advice.
I think it's as simple as any other interchange," Lee told reporter Karena Walter. We have the pavement markings, the traffic signals, the signage ... you're just following it like any other interchange."
Bill Sawchuk is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: william.sawchuk@niagaradailies.com