Ontario’s first diverging diamond interchange nearing completion in Niagara Region

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officials are hosting information sessions today (Sept.7) including an overview of “how to navigate” Ontario’s first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) project today (Sept. 7) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 500 York Rd.

The interchange – the first of its kind in Ontario – is scheduled to open to traffic the week of Sept 12. While only two currently exist in Canada, many U.S. cities have started building diverging diamonds in Missouri, New Mexico, Delaware, Virginia and even (in Canada) in Calgary.

ddi graphicReconstruction of the QEW-Glendale Avenue interchange started in spring 2021. Work included building a new bridge over QEW to replace the Glendale bridge, realigning Glendale Avenue slightly to the west and constructing new on and off ramps. The contract was awarded to Brennan Construction and design partner Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

ddi image niagaraThe Ministry of Transportation is working in partnership with Niagara Region on the $54 million design-build project for the construction of the following elements:

  • Reconstruct the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) / Glendale Avenue interchange to a diverging diamond Interchange
  • Reconstruct the Glendale Avenue / York Road intersection to a single-lane roundabout with channelization
  • Construct a new Airport Road loop ramp and connection road from Glendale Avenue to York Road / Airport Road intersection
  • Construct a new commuter carpool lot at the northwest quadrant of the interchange
  • Rehabilitate the pavement on the QEW eastbound and westbound lanes between the east end of the Garden City Skyway bridge and QEW / Hwy. 405 split (~3.0 km)
  • Extend the right turning lane of Glendale Avenue between Taylor Road and Niagara-on-the-Green Boulevard

Signalized intersections will allow free flow, high-volume traffic by having lanes cross each other at either end of the interchange, reducing issues with vehicles accessing on-ramps and those coming off the highway.

A multiuse path down the centre of the interchange designed for cyclists and pedestrians will be separated and protected from the traffic by concrete barriers.

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