Today, Florida Department of Transportation will open its new I-4 and County Road 532 diverging diamond interchange traffic pattern near ChampionsGate, Sunday, as part of its I-4 Beyond the Ultimate project.

The new pattern will move motorists approaching the interchange on C.R. 532 to switch to the left side of the road at a traffic signal. After passing under the interstate, they will return to the right side at another traffic signal.

Motorists should expect an overnight closure of C.R. 532 for construction and lane striping as soon as Saturday, July 9. For detour information, please visit i4Beyond.com/detours.

Once the DDI traffic pattern is in effect, motorists will no longer turn left across the opposing lane at any point in the interchange. In addition, the number of signal phases will be reduced from four to two, which will lead to more efficient traffic movement through the DDI. Conflict points — locations in the interchange where vehicles’ paths merge, diverge, or cross — will be reduced by more than half.

According to FDOT, DDI improves safety and mobility by eliminating the need for left turns across oncoming traffic. Compared to a conventional interchange, a DDI has fewer conflict points, or places where vehicles cross paths, reducing the potential for collisions.

Although the DDI will be in place soon, work will continue at the interchange to add bicycle and pedestrian features — there is currently no pedestrian access through the interchange. Intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology, signage, signalization, curbs, and landscaping will also be installed during the remainder of this project, and the roadway will be milled and resurfaced.

For more information, visit the project page at I4beyond.com.