Collier County’s first diverging diamond opens at I-75 and Pine Ridge Road interchange

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Drivers in Collier County are now navigating a new traffic pattern at the I-75 and Pine Ridge Road interchange, as the area’s first diverging diamond officially opened one day ahead of schedule.

“Well, I just hope that it’s worth it, for all the delays that all of us have been putting up with,” said Diane Polyakov, a Naples resident.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) designed the diverging diamond interchange to eliminate critical cross points, particularly for left-turning drivers.

“So the DDI crossings are designed uniquely to eliminate a lot of critical cross points. So for those, for example, turning left, they would never have to turn left without going into oncoming traffic,” said Janella Newsome of FDOT.

The new traffic pattern aims to improve traffic flow, accommodate growth, and reduce crashes.

On Sunday morning, a semi-trailer rolled over on I-75 near the Pine Ridge Road exit, killing three people. The Florida Highway Patrol blocked off the southbound lanes for hours, diverting drivers onto the newly opened diverging diamond for the first time.

Troopers directed traffic as some drivers mistakenly drove into oncoming lanes.

Construction on the $27.5 million project began in March 2022, but FDOT’s project manager said there is still significant work to be completed.

“So some of the work left to be done on this project includes sidewalks, barrier walls, pond excavation, lighting, paving, striping, installation, and permanent signage and signalization,” said Josephine Mac, FDOT project manager.

The project is expected to be fully completed by mid-2027.

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