Gwinnett’s first diverging diamond intersection won commission approval for construction to begin this summer on Pleasant Hill Road at I-85.

The design uses the existing bridge more efficiently by switching traffic to the left to allow smooth left turns onto the interstate. Pedestrians will use a new walkway in the median.

E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc., of Snellville was the lowest of three bidders at just under $4.3 million, which will come from SPLOST funds.

The work involves widening a half-mile of roadway plus new retaining walls, curb and gutter, sidewalks and traffic signals. The timing of other signals approaching the intersection will also get adjustments to ensure smooth traffic flow.

 “The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District has worked closely with our traffic engineers on the new design, which is similar to the diverging diamond that opened recently on Ashford-Dunwoody Road at I-285 near Perimeter Mall," said Gwinnett Transportation Director Kim Conroy. "We estimate this will extend the useful life of the existing bridge by about 10 years with no widening needed.”

The project is expected to be complete within a year.