Work on the $59 million diverging-diamond interchange project (DDI) in Haymarket is now complete.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), construction on the project began back in 2015, and was done to relieve congestion and improve safety at I-66 and Route 15.
“The DDI’s innovative design shifts vehicles to the opposite side of the road and eliminates left turns that cross oncoming traffic. Traffic signals at each end of the interchange reduce time spent at red lights and move twice the number of vehicles as a traditional diamond interchange,” stated VDOT.
While this DDI is the first in the Northern Virginia area, VDOT has completed other DDIs in Louisa and Roanoke.
According to VDOT District Construction Engineer Bill Cutler, the DDI will move twice as many vehicles as a typical interchange.
“It will relieve congestion, enhance safety operations and capacity, as well as accommodate forecasted traffic demands in our area,” stated Cutler in a release.
Prince William recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebration the DDI’s completion.
“Every day tens of thousands of vehicles come through this previously gridlocked intersection that had become the poster child for traffic congestion and a choke point. This is just the first step of many projects that need to be addressed in our area. While we try to relieve gridlock here, this needs to be replicated all over Prince William County. From Route 15 to Business 234 and I-66, to Route 28 to Route 1 and I-95, there’s so much more that needs to be done. We need to now focus our attention and limited resources on those projects,” stated Supervisor Pete Candland in a release.
More on what the DDI does, from VDOT:
This project constructed two longer bridges to carry Route 15 over I-66 with two crossover intersections. It widened the bridges from two lanes to three, and also included:
Ramp improvements, including a spur ramp to ease traffic flow from westbound I-66 to northbound Route 15 to westbound Heathcote Boulevard.
Improvements on Route 15 from just north of the railroad tracks to just south of Heathcote Boulevard
Wider intersections on Route 15 at Heathcote Boulevard and Route 55, adding turn lanes to both.
A 10-foot-wide shared-use path on the east side of Route 15 for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Aesthetic treatment of the bridge walls that pay homage to nearby Chapman Mill.
