Atlanta motorists will get a new experience when driving through a metro interstate overpass.

State authorities opened the city's first so-called "diverging diamond" interchange at Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Interstate 285 Sunday.

Georgia is spending $5.5 million to fix the traffic backups that are common in the area. The design will route traffic from right lanes to left lanes so motorists can avoid waiting for an arrow allowing a left-hand turn.

Department of Transportation officials have plans to try similar designs at the Interstate 85 interchanges at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road.

Tags: Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, road work, diverging diamond interchange, Ashford-Dunwoody Road