PENNDOT EXPECTED TO OPEN DIVERGING DIAMOND INTERCHANGE WITH I-70 AND ROUTE 51 TODAY

PennDOT is expected to open the partially completed diverging diamond interchange with I-70 and Route 51 today.  The Trib reports that new traffic patterns are to be expected.  Route 51 traffic will continue to flow in a single lane each northbound and southbound, but those lanes now will be farther apart.  The traffic shift will allow PennDOT crews to work on the new median areas and islands that will separate two lanes of route 51 traffic in each direction, along with the turning lanes.  In the diverging diamond format, the northbound and southbound lanes cross over and swap positions at each end of the bridge. That allows motorists who are turning left from Route 51 onto I-70 to do so without having to complete the move in front of oncoming traffic.