Drivers give mixed reviews of Southeastern Wisconsin's first diverging diamond interchange

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Southeastern Wisconsin's first diverging diamond interchange is now open at I-43 and Brown Deer Road.

"Oh my god," said driver Joyce Burgess. "I don't know how to do it, but today I knew. I was just coming from brown deer just straight across, so I did, and they had good signs up."

Thousands of vehicles travel across the interchange daily and drivers have mixed reviews about the new traffic pattern.

Mary Turzinski is one of many drivers anxious to experience the new traffic pattern.

"Well, I'm a little afraid to use it," said Turzinski. "Maybe I should try it today, if it's not too busy,"

Turzinski hit the road to try it, then gave us her review.

"Well, it's not that hard to figure out I guess really, but I don’t know if I like it that much," said Turzinski.

Here's how it works. At the first light, you drive through, crossing to the opposite side of the road. If you are merging onto I-43, you get off left at the ramp. If you're driving through, you follow the second light, where drivers will be shifted back to the right side of the road.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says this interchange is safer and reduces collisions.

"I use I-43 quite a bit and I've been impressed on how much is being done on it," said Burgess.

Drivers say it will take some time to get used to.

I am freaked out because it just doesn't make sense," said driver Clare Christensen. "It just doesn't make sense."