New I-10 Diverging Diamond Interchange Now Open at Watson Road in Buckeye

ADOT opens second of two such interchanges built during I-10 widening

1063
Arizona I-10 Traffic | Arizona I-10 Construction | I-10 Exit Guide

Drivers in Arizona’s West Valley can now use the second I-10 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) to be constructed as part of the Arizona Department of Transportationā€™s (ADOT) ongoing freeway widening project in the Buckeye area.

Crews reopened the I-10 interchange at Watson Road yesterday (Thursday, April 27). The interchange has been reconstructed using the diverging diamond design, which has grown in popularity across the country for safety and traffic flow benefits.

Diverging diamonds allow the two directions of cross-street traffic traveling over or under a freeway to shift to the opposite side of the roadway. The crossing is designed to improve the overall movement of traffic and enhance safety by limiting potential traffic conflict points and allowing direct left turns onto a freeway entrance ramp. Drivers avoid waiting at a traffic signal and donā€™t cross in front of opposing traffic when making those left turns.

ADOT continues work to widen 8 miles of I-10 from two to three lanes in each direction between Verrado Way and State Route 85. The entire $82 million I-10 improvement project, which was launched in July 2021, is on schedule for completion this summer (2023).

The I-10/Watson Road interchange is the fourth full diverging diamond to be added along the stateā€™s highway system. The nearby DDI at Miller Road opened in August 2022 as part of the I-10 widening project. DDIs also have been constructed at I-17 and Happy Valley Road in north Phoenix and along I-10 at Houghton Road in the Tucson area. Two smaller diverging diamonds also are in use along the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in Phoenix.

ADOT works in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments on the planning and construction of new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements in the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region. Projects are funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.


The I-10 Exit Guide is the Internetā€™s largest and most complete website dedicated to Interstate 10 travelers. Find detailed exit service listingsā€¦ lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from California to Florida!

On the road? Why not take us with you. TheĀ I-10 Exit GuideĀ is mobile-friendly and totally FREE. No App Required.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides:Ā Ā I-4 Exit Guide,Ā I-5 Exit Guide,Ā I-10 Exit Guide,Ā I-75 Exit Guide,Ā I-80 Exit GuideĀ andĀ I-95 Exit Guide.Ā Detailed exit service listingsā€¦ discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit along the way!

Previous articleCastaway Seafood Restaurant – Bonifay, FL
Next articleBeacons of Maritime Culture in Northwest Florida
I-10 Exit Guide
One of the most complete road travel resources of its kind on the Internet! The Interstate 10 Exit Information Guide features exit service listings for the entire length of I-10 from California to Florida! Food, gas, lodging, rest areas, attractions and moreā€¦