Under Construction

Project Purpose

This project will replace the current at-grade left-turn movements from Route 29 southbound onto Route 17 south with a grade-separated flyover interchange.

The project will improve safety and traffic flow at this high-volume location. The current dual left-turn lanes on Route 29 south often overflow onto the southbound travel lanes during periods of peak volume. This condition creates a safety issue since southbound through traffic traveling at highway speed must stop until the left-turning traffic clears the travel lane.

The flyover will allow traffic turning onto Route 17 south to exit Route 29 using a right exit ramp. The ramp will carry traffic over Route 29 south of the existing intersection, then allow it to merge onto Route 17. 

Traffic continuing south on Route 29 will not be affected by the project but should gain efficiency through the intersection since left-turning traffic will have free-flow movement using the flyover ramp rather than being controlled by the signal.

Project Updates

Construction of the Opal Interchange began the week of September 12. Over the 90 days subsequent, the contractor will be erecting road-work signage, installing temporary silt fencing, installing storm-drainage pipes, clearing and grubbing the site, and constructing service roads to the work site.

News Releases and Project Information

News release: CTB Awards Opal Interchange Project

Schematic of interchange design (640 KB)

Opal Interchange Project Advertised for Construction Bids  (36 KB)