Brighton, N.Y. - The ride should get smoother for drivers on Winton Road near the 590 Interchange--the new diverging diamond pattern opened ahead of it's 6 a.m. official start on Tuesday.
It can be hard to see unless you're standing above it, but the diamond shifts traffic to the left, eliminating left hand turns onto 590. Those turns cause backups, delays and fender benders.
Drivers like Lisa Truman said it's been a headache with the construction in the area. But she is looking forward to the new traffic design, as long as it will work to eliminate some of the congestion in the area.
This is the first phase of the project.
There will be detours and closings for the next two weekends as well. During those closures, curbs and islands will be added, and paving will be completed.
Every day, 37,000 drivers use Winton Road between French Road and 590, and 2,000 vehicles pass through the area during the peak times.
The State Department of Transportation said this is the first diverging diamond of its kind in New York. They add that this traffic pattern has been used successfully in many other states.
