"I Know Engineers...They Love to Change Things"

English: A diagram of a diverging diamond interchange, showing how the traffic flows. Apparently, the Dept. of Transportation in the state of Missouri had too much money this year and hired some kids to do the drawings. If people would simply pay attention to their driving, instead of treating their vehicle like a phone booth/restaurant, ridiculous designs like this wouldn't be part of today's roads Svenska: En bild på en divergernade diamantkorsning som visar hur tafiken rör sig. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For those too young to remember the quote from the title of this entry, it is from Star Trek: The Motion Picture and from Dr. McCoy and I thought it was perfect for this entry.

I came across the video below on the Portland Transport site and thought it was something that had to be shared. The Utah Department of Transportation installed one of these intersections at 2100 South Expressway and Bangerter Highway in West Valley.

The diagram on the right gives you the basics of what these types of intersections are supposed to do. I have to say the first time I approached the one on Bangerter Highway it was really confusing especially since it was dark and snowing at the time.

There was also several drivers almost taken out at the intersection by a semi that seemed to be even more confused that the average driver over how to drive this thing.

While the one in the video has "token" pedestrian and cycling access the Utah one does not but then again Bangerter and the 2100 South Expressway is not designed for pedestrians.



Besides this diverging diamond intersection, UDOT has also been busy turning traffic lanes on 5400 South into reversible lanes. In addition they also did a continuous flow intersection treatment at Redwood and 5400 South that I will discuss in the future.

Related articles

• Could These Crazy Intersections Make Us Safer?

Mid Jordan TRAX line construction update

Image via Wikipedia

Mid-Jordan Light Rail TRAX Construction Update: May 15, 2009*

Please forward this information on to others that would be interested.

*This schedule is subject to change due to weather, materials issues, or unanticipated utility conflicts.

Bangerter Bridge

UPDATED Activity: Crews will be performing work on the Bangerter Highway overpass at approximately 8700 South. Traffic Impacts: On May 21 (Thursday), one north and two southbound lanes will be closed. The centermost lane in each direction will be closed on May 18 (Monday) through May 22 (Friday). Two northbound left lanes will be closed on 5/21 (Thursday).

Sugar Factory Area

NEW Activity: Work will be taking place on 2200 West at the trackway located near Sugar Factory Road. Traffic Impacts: 2200 West will be closed at the trackway from 5/27 (Tuesday) until 6/2 (Tuesday). 2200 West will remain accessible at Sugar Factory Road. Please use Redwood Road or 2700 West as alternate routes. Activity: Work will be taking place on 3200 West at the trackway located near 8600 South. Traffic Impacts: 3200 West will be closed at the trackway until 5/19 (Tuesday). Please follow posted detour signs along 4000 West and 8600 South, or along Haun Drive (also 8600 South) and 2700 West. Activity: Utility work is currently ongoing. Traffic Impacts: Shoulder work with possible lane restrictions.

Old Bingham Area

Activity: Bridge work. Traffic Impacts: Old Bingham Highway at the Bangerter Highway overpass will be restricted to one lane with flagging operations on May 15 (Friday). UPDATED Activity: Work will be taking place on 4800 West at the trackway near Old Bingham Highway. Traffic Impacts: Due to materials issues, the closures at 4800 West will be extended until the evening of 5/18 (Monday). Please watch this e-mail update for changes. Please follow posted detour signs and use Wasatch Meadows Drive as an alternate. Please watch for intermittent flagging operations on Wasatch Meadows Drive. UPDATED Activity: Eastbound shoulder closure on Old Bingham Highway west of Bangerter Highway through June.

Gardner Village Area

UPDATED Activity: Crews have resumed work on the bridge at 7800 South near Gardner Village. Traffic Impacts: Eastbound traffic has been shifted to the north side of the road until 5/15 (Friday). The center lanes in each direction will be closed from 5/18 (Monday) through mid-June. Activity: Access to Gardner Village from the Jordan River Parkway Trail is closed until August 2009. Activity: Construction on the Jordan River TRAX bridge. Traffic Impacts: A temporary detour began the week of October 13th, 2008 on the Jordan River Parkway Trail near approximately 7500 South. The trail will be intermittently detoured through August 2009. Please be aware that the detour does cross a live railway track, and as such, the detour will be closed daily from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. when freight is actively running on the track. Please plan accordingly. UPDATE: The trail is currently open on its regular route. The detour may be activated again in the coming weeks to accommodate construction activities; please follow all posted signs and read this update for up-to-date information.

Cottonwood Area

UPDATED Activity: Crews will be working to complete Cottonwood Street improvements. Traffic Impacts: 300 West is closed between the I-215 overpass and Winchester Street until May 19 (Tuesday). Pedestrian access will be maintained. Please use State Street as a driving alternate. Activity: Crews are continuing access and utility work near 300 West and the intersection of Winchester Street and Cottonwood Street. Traffic Impacts: Shoulder work with lane restrictions.

If you have any construction-related questions, please call the construction hotline at (888) 550-2211.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project, please let me know.

Sarah Loughlin

Community Involvement Specialist

Utah Transit Authority

801-236-4783

sloughlin@rideuta.com