NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A new traffic pattern by State Road 836 called a diverging diamond interchange has opened.
Drivers began to use the new pattern, which directs drivers to temporarily drive on the left side of the road on Northwest 27th Avenue, near the Dolphin Expressway, Monday morning.
Though there were some screeching tires and some choice words by drivers, so far officials from MDX said drivers were doing a very good job traversing the new traffic pattern.
“Well, so far, it looks like it’s going really well,” said Juan Toledo, MDX Director of Engineering.
The change was made to make travel in the area a whole lot smoother by eliminating left-hand turns against oncoming traffic by temporarily shifting traffic to the left. During that shift, vehicles can access the Dolphin Expressway without stopping at a light and without having to cross oncoming traffic. Those who choose to keep going straight just follow the pattern that takes them back to the right side of the road.
“Provide you better access to and from the expressway,” said Toledo, “but it’s also gonna help with clearing congestion on 27th Avenue.”
This change comes to an area known for bad traffic delays.
“In the morning and the afternoon time – very tough traffic, so what can we do?” asked cab driver Saindilien Joseph.
However, not everyone is a fan at this point. “Horrible,” declared a driver who offered his critique.
Some drivers could be heard honking and another driver even made a U-turn in the middle of the interchange.
“Everybody’s confused,” said driver Sonia Castro, “so I think right before the exit, people are trying to get on the lane, get off the lane. They’re not sure what to do.”
As drivers try to figure it out, congestion has lingered.
MDX said they’re still working on the timing of traffic lights.
“I see a lot of traffic over there, so I don’t know,” said driver Alex Cao. “I guess people have to get used to it.”
Experts said it’s just something to get used to, and so far, everything is going as planned, and drivers are doing their part.
“People are staying in their lanes, following the arrows, obeying the traffic laws,” Toledo said. “It seems everybody is going in here with due caution, which is something they should be doing.”
Cao feels like driving through the DDI will get better as everyone gets used to the new pattern.
“I think eventually, everyone will get used to it with time,” Cao said.
Castro is also looking on the bright side. “Hopefully, it will turn out to be good,” Castro said.
Highway workers are still on the scene Monday afternoon.
MDX said police will be stationed in the area for the next two weeks to ensure smooth traffic.
Monday night, from 11 p.m. until Tuesday at 5 a.m., there will be a complete closure of all northbound and southbound lanes of Northwest 27th Avenue between Northwest 11th Street and Northwest 14th Street.
Crews are scheduled to put up new signs during that time to help with directions.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.