What the heck is going on with Colonial and I-75?🤔

If you work in Fort Myers, you’ve probably sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic just trying to get to I-75 when you are coming from Colonial Blvd.

It can get pretty bad, especially during rush hour.

In fact, there was one time I was driving north on Six Mile Cypress/Ben C. Pratt (pick a name, people!) and it took me about 45 minutes to get through the 3 traffic lights just to get to I-75!

Sometimes it feels like traffic is moving at the speed of litigation!

The intersection has been under construction for about the past month or so and if you’re like me, you may be wondering just what the heck the Florida Department of Transportation has been up to.

Well, according to the News-Press, the construction at the I-75 and Colonial exit is changing it into a “diverging diamond interchange.”

Now, those of us who have never driven through a diverging diamond interchange before are probably thinking, “What the heck is that?”

Here’s a video with describing what it’s going to look like and how it’s expected to work:

Basically, it’s a way to get traffic flowing more smoothly by allowing drivers to make a left turn onto the highway without having to cross opposing traffic.

My first thought is that it looks like there’s a LOT more intersections…

But, I’ll remain optimistic!

Here’s another video example of this interchange design working in Springfield, Missouri:

As long as this helps move traffic as quickly and safely as possible, we’re all for it.

And who couldn’t do with some lower auto insurance rates, eh?

The FDOT says that they expect the project to be completed in the summer of 2024.

Here’s hoping that they stay on schedule…

In the meantime, LET’S GO ALREADY!