Left is right: Zion Crossroads to get innovative interchange
-
VDOT says bonjour to this French import.VDOT -
This stoplight-free design was once a finalist in the running to be the U.S. 250/Meadowcreek Parkway interchange.250interchange.org -
In June 2008, City Council opted for a traditional signalized diamond.250interchange.org
The ever-increasing traffic at Zion Crossroads, where U.S. 15 and Interstate 64 meet, means that it's time for a new interchange, and what the Virginia Department of Transportation has planned is a French import, a novel traffic configuration called the "diverging diamond."
Two selling points are that it can handle more traffic than a traditional diamond, and it eats less land than a cloverleaf. The odd part is that it makes vehicles momentarily drive on the left side of a divided highway. While that's not something to which Americans are accustomed, a VDOT video seems to make it look smooth, as there are no left turns across traffic.
America got its first diverging diamond in 2009 in Missouri, now home to three of them, while Utah and Tennessee each have one. A public hearing on the design for the one planned for Zion Crossroads was held June 22, with the $7.95 million, federally funded project slated to get under way next year.
In the world of unconventional traffic devices, Charlottesville's Meadowcreek Parkway was once considered for a roundabout-centric interchange after then County Supervisor Forrest Marshall delivered a $27 million earmark from Washington in 2005. But in 2008, concerns over cost, land, and bicycle-friendliness pushed City Council to opt instead for a traditional signalized diamond.
As the County's portion of the Parkway nears completion, the City recently accepted a $3.4 million bid to construct its portion this summer. As for the interchange, the Virginia Department of Transportation hopes to advertise bids for the project later this year.
18 comments
I'd like to know how elderly drivers do when they come across this for the first few times. What happened to the traffic circles?
At it again!!!!!!!!! The state does nothing but try to force widened roads on us. WE DON'T NEED THIS!!!!!!! It is no different than Meadowcreek or the bypass. Unneeded... totally... screw traffic....don't drive.... don't pollute.
Where is Dennis Rooker or Carolyn on this one. Too bad Dennis doesn't own some land nearby. One day we will all be smart and ride bikes to work or walk to work- and freight will only ride the rails.
I know elderly drivers that drive in Europe and do just fine. I'd be more worried about drivers texting while driving.
And in general I feel money spent on highway projects would be better spent on getting trucks onto rail and off roads. If there is limited money, that would be my priority
" Two selling points are that it can handle more traffic than a traditional diamond, and it eats less land than a cloverleaf. "
Have to admit these are innovative ideas when a traffic solution is needed.
Fascinating idea !
Natureboy, Zion Crossroads is Louisa and partially Fluvanna. Rooker works for Albemarle. Who is Carolyn?
Anyway, this area has a lot of truck traffic. You can't carry a semi-load of stuff in a backpack. I'm with you on the rail thing, but you would need trucks to complete the link to the final destination. Did you know Zion Crossroads had a railroad, it was removed in the early 1970's. Rail would have been ideal today for Wal-Mart distribution and would even attract business such as Klockner or Hershey's. The rail grade is still there, if you go west on 64 you cross two bridges in a row, the first is Rt 627 (Zion Rd), the second is the old grade.
I live near this interchange and drive it daily. I've not notice any significant traffic problem. I have noticed however that, in this area at least, VDOT are idiots. Two great examples are from 15 going west on 250 the two lanes merge to the left into one lane and then 7 feet later you can turn onto Zion Rd. This means that in order to turn right you have to merge left for 7 feet to avoid crossing the paint that would otherwise just be the right turn lane. Likewise the right most of the two left turn lanes coming out of Lowes/Walmart is labeled for use only to get on 64 yet lines up onto the right lane of 15 South (rather then the 64 entrance lane). In both of these cases all the locals just ignore the stupid VDOT stuff and do what makes sense... The only thing that slows people down is the badly timed lights and we end with two lights (just like we have now and likely just as badly timed - but not as bad as the ones on Pantops.)
Timing the lights properly would be the biggest help of all and wouldn't cost anything more than the salary someone is already paid.
I'm not sure what problem they're trying to solve either. That looks like a lot of pavement and lot of confusion for people not from the area, which you would get a lot of at an Interstate exit.
This should help when the new regional airport is built. Crossroads International Aiport is proposed 3 miles east of Zion. It will obsolete CHO and 75% of RIC since people from Short Pump/ west Richmond, Chesterfield, etc will be able to drive there faster than to RIC which is north of Richmond. Also, commuter rail will be in place by 2025 along I64 with a 135 MPH "near high speed" Acela type train to make it 20 minutes to Richmond.
This is insane. Horrible idea. Incredibly wasteful, & not necessary. Can someone explain how these decisions are made. Does VDOT &/or the state ask for local opinion before deciding to spend $8million????? We are in the worst fiscal situation in our country's history. WTF are they thinking?
No one is pointing out that this is more international infiltration of local control of our lives! No UN control!!! What are they thinking!!!??? The French? Do they want us to be surrender monkeys!?!?! Hopefully there will be an endless number of lawsuits and controversy regarding this infrastructure project!!
All the excess traffic is coming from Fluvanna! They should have to pay the bill for this mess that they have created!
oh man - since Fluvanna residents come shop in the closest Walmart and give Louisa the sales tax we are the "problem" and should have to pay for road improvements...these comments on this story just show you what is wrong with people today...we are all one state and community seperated by some county lines...grow up!
Don't forget the French saved our butts in the Revolution, so we owed them one in world war two. If they hadn't come in the 1770's they'd be calling us (still unde British rule) "surrender monkeys". History is older than you are...
I agree, this is a cool design and may be worth considering, and agree that it is equally unneccessary at Zion X-roads given other things we ought to pay for, or not pay for.
Oh, and tea is an english import from places like India, so its not really all that American.
If it ain't broke, get $7.95 million in federal funding and fix it.
montagna is right you gotta have trucks to get freight to its final destination. one thought on the new intersection is that vdot maybe preparing for the chance that rte. 15 may be widened to four lanes from Gordonsvile to Zxr. there is much discussion about this in Louisa and among Louisa bos. rte 15 is part of the "hallowed ground" drive from Pa. south. there is all kinds of stuff going on in Louisa co. I know, I grew up there.
montagna is right you gotta have trucks to get freight to its final destination. one thought on the new intersection is that vdot maybe preparing for the chance that rte. 15 may be widened to four lanes from Gordonsvile to Zxr. there is much discussion about this in Louisa and among Louisa bos. rte 15 is part of the "hallowed ground" drive from Pa. south. there is all kinds of stuff going on in Louisa co. I know, I grew up there.
montagna is right you gotta have trucks to get freight to its final destination. one thought on the new intersection is that vdot maybe preparing for the chance that rte. 15 may be widened to four lanes from Gordonsvile to Zxr. there is much discussion about this in Louisa and among Louisa bos. rte 15 is part of the "hallowed ground" drive from Pa. south. there is all kinds of stuff going on in Louisa co. I know, I grew up there.