(WBIR) Starting Tuesday, the way most of us get to the Smoky Mountains is changing.
After years of work, and a few delays late Monday and early Tuesday because of rainy weather, a brand new interchange opened at I-40 exit 407.
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Signage is in place to direct traffic, but motorists should be cautious as they get used to the new traffic pattern. Police officers were on hand for the first day, to help direct drivers around the new interchange, and the crews who are still working in the area.
TDOT has an animation of how the diverging diamond works:
Officials say this innovative interchange will save them tens of millions of dollars, and help improve traffic flow, once people get used to it and follow the signs and lights.
"The striping and the lights direct you right thru it and before you know it you've passed right thru it. Its something that people aren't going to be normally used to as they pass thru but we're really excited about it we really think it's going to help, and we really think it will make this intersection a whole lot safer," said John Schroer, TDOT commissioner
After the interchange is opened, crews will still be working in this area to complete the median curb and gutter, as well as to place permanent paving and striping along the State Route 66 portion of the project.
This is not the first diverging diamond interchange in East Tennessee. There is one in Alcoa at the interchange of Middlesettlements Road, Bessemer Street, and US 129.
