Tulsa's first diverging diamond interchange opens Monday

TULSA-Okla. - Tulsa's first diverging diamond interchange opened Monday in South Tulsa.  Some 50-thousand drivers travel the stretch of highway on State Highway 169 at the Creek Turnpike each day.

Now after more than a year of traffic headaches drivers are finally seeing some relief in South Tulsa.  The new layout won't be exactly with Tulsa drivers are used to navigating. So the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has offered several tips to safely travel though the diverging diamond interchange.(DDI)

Drivers should begin thinking about how to safely navigate the DDI. Here are several safety tips to consider before driving through the new interchange:

• As you approach the interchange, drive for the conditions by following the speed limit. Pay attention to traffic control devices and pavement markings.
• As you enter the interchange, follow the signs, signals and pavement markings to cross through the intersection at the first set of traffic lights. Traffic will appear as if on a one-way street as it crosses under the bridge.
• Vehicles continuing straight on Memorial Dr. after crossing bridge simply proceed through a second set of traffic lights.
• Left turns onto the highway or turnpike are freer flowing, meaning vehicles do not have to wait for opposing traffic to access the ramp.

Drivers on US-169 and Creek Turnpike ramps as well as Memorial Dr. may experience intermittent closures as work continues. The area remains an active construction zone through June 2024.

For more information on the project click here.