Collier County's first diverging diamond opens ahead of schedule

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — The new diverging diamond interchange at Pine Ridge Road opened ahead of schedule and was immediately used as a detour for a deadly crash on Interstate 75.

The Florida Department of Transportation opened the interchange about 30 hours early. The interchange was scheduled to open on Monday.

• RELATED STORY: I-75 and Pine Ridge Road interchange work brings weekend closures

The diverging diamond shifts drivers to the opposite side of the road for a short distance. That allows drivers to turn left onto I-75 ramps without crossing oncoming traffic.

FDOT said the goal is to reduce crashes and make the interchange safer. But for drivers, it was a surprise first look.

"It was interesting, a little confusing," Daniel, a driver, said. "I don't see how it makes things any better, but it's definitely weird driving on the other side. I guess kind of like driving in the UK, maybe."

Bryce, a passenger, had a different take on the new traffic pattern.

"It was a little confusing going over there at first. You see that it winds and takes you on the opposite side of the road, so in your mind you're thinking, 'oh, this is gonna be dangerous,' but the flow was set up so well with the cones that when it verged right back over to the original, it was already done, and it was just easy peasy," Bryce said.

The diverging diamond is open, but the project isn't done yet. FDOT said crews will continue working on sidewalks, lighting, signs and paving.

The full project is expected to be finished in mid-2027.