Paducah's double crossover diamond reduced injury crashes 28 percent: study

Paducah's Double Crossover Diamond at Hinkleville Road and I-24 has made that corridor safer according to an analysis of crash data by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Engineers looked at crash data from five years before its construction to five years after completion and saw a reduction in crashes and injuries. During the period, the number of crashes only dropped three percent, but the number of injury crashes fell a more substantial 28.5 percent. It should be noted that the stretch of highway examined not only included the double crossover diamond but also included Hinkleville Road from Coleman Road out to New Holt Road.

KYTC District 1 Chief District Engineer Kyle Poat said, "The DCD design's built-in safety enhancements are paying off, and we like what we see so far. This type of intersection is another tool in the toolbox for KYTC's SAFERoad Solutions."

Poat added, "Of course, we'd like to see a larger drop in total crashes but the reduction in injury-related incidents is a clear win." Poat hopes to see a continued reduction in the number of crashes with future upgrades to the interchange. 

The intersection is only the second of its kind in Kentucky. The unique design reduces the number of places traffic crosses by shifting lanes to the opposite side of typical travel allowing for safer left turns. It also improves traffic flow and reduces speed in the area. 

According to KYTC statistics, just over 28,000 vehicles a day pass through that corridor.



Photo courtesy of KYTC District 1