MDOT Prepares to Open the State’s First Diverging Diamond Interchange in Harrison County

Harrison Co, MS - As the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) prepares to open the state's first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in D’Iberville, there is information the traveling public needs to know before entering the new interchange.

After Hurricane Katrina, there was a boom in economic growth throughout the City of D’Iberville, and that is continuing today around the I-10/I-110 interchange. With businesses, industries and residents moving into the area, the amount of traffic is increasing at a fast pace along the I-10 and I-110 corridors.

To accommodate an increase in traffic volume, MDOT began work in July 2013 on an interchange improvement project at the D’Iberville Boulevard Interchange. DDI is a new design being implemented across the country as a safer, more cost-efficient alternative to traditional interchanges. Adopted from Europe, DDI has been proven to significantly reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.

New access ramps have been built at multiple locations around the existing interchange on I-10. This project gives motorists more options for interstate access to the east, west and south from Lamey Bridge Road, D’Iberville Boulevard and Big Ridge Road.

The centerpiece of this interchange is the new Galleria Parkway Overpass, which contains a traffic signal at each end. As drivers approach the interchange and pass through the signal, they will cross over to the opposite side of the roadway. The driver will continue across the bridge over I-10 on this side as they approach the second traffic signal. Traffic will then be directed through the second signal back to the right side of the road. This unique design prevents vehicles from crossing lanes of opposing traffic to merge onto I-10.

Motorists traveling south on D’Iberville Boulevard wanting to exit onto I-10 west will move into the farthest right lane and merge onto I-10 west. Motorists wanting to bypass I-10 and continue south on D’Iberville Boulevard will use either of the two traffic lanes. Pavement markings, signs and traffic signals at the opposite end of the interchange will guide motorists back to the right side of the road. Motorists traveling east on I-10 wanting to exit onto D’Iberville and head south will exit the off-ramp and stay in the right lane when the off-ramp divides.

With no major delays, MDOT anticipates completion of the economically driven infrastructure project on Tuesday, June 2.

For live travel information, visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the free MS Traffic App from Google Play and the App Store, or call 511.