Video: How to navigate the new diverging diamond interchange in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara | Niagara Falls | Niagara on the Lake | Community | Traffic |

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Published September 26, 2022 at 10:30 am

It's finally open. The new diverging diamond interchange on Glendale Ave above the QEW opened to traffic this morning. (Illustration: MTO)

With Ontario’s first-ever diverging diamond interchange opening on Glendale Ave over the QEW in Niagara-on-the-Lake this morning (September 26), no small number of drivers are wondering how to safely navigate through it.

In fairness, the new round-about in Niagara Falls, which opened last month, had the same concerns and thus far, there have been no reported collisions from that location.

The Ministry of Transportation said the interchange, now a year in the works from planning to completion, was installed to reduce traffic jams at one of Niagara’s busiest streets.

Canada’s third diverging diamond interchange – the other two are in Calgary and Regina – has one huge advantage over normal interchanges in that it eliminates left-hand turns at traffic signals, one the the leading causes of accidents.

“A diverging diamond interchange provides easier access and flow for traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians,” the ministry has told media outlets.

“This interchange design will reduce the number of vehicle conflict points and allow unrestricted access to the QEW.”

While the concept is still relatively new in Canada, the United States has dozens of diverging diamond interchanges throughout the country.

The video below, distributed by the MTO, explains how traffic flow moves more smoothly through this interchange.

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