Cloverleaf Interchange

CLOVERLEAF
INTERCHANGE
WHAT IS CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE?
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns

(reverse directions in left-driving regions) are handled by ramp roads (US:
ramps, UK: slip roads).
Cloverleaf interchanges, viewed from overhead or on maps, resemble the
leaves of a four-leaf clover or less often a 3-leaf clover. In the United States,
cloverleaf interchanges existed long before the interstate system. They were
originally created for busier interchanges that the original diamond
interchange system could not handle
HISTORY OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
The first cloverleaf interchange patented in the United States was by Arthur
Hale, a civil engineer in Maryland, on February 29, 1916.
The first cloverleaf interchange built in the US was the Woodbridge
Cloverleaf at intersection of the Lincoln Highway (Route 25) and Amboy—
now St. Georges—Avenue (Route 4) (now U.S. 1/9 and Route 35) in
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey in 1929, and as of about 2004, the
interchange is no longer a cloverleaf.
The original cloverleaf interchange was designed by the Rudolph and
Delano building firm from Philadelphia, and was modeled after a plan from
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
HISTORY OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
The first cloverleaf west of the Mississippi River opened on August 20, 1931, at
Watson Road and Lindbergh Boulevard near St. Louis, Missouri, as part of an
upgrade of U.S. 66. This interchange, however, has since been replaced with a
diamond interchange.
The cloverleaf was patented in Europe in Switzerland on October 15, 1928. The
first cloverleaf in Europe opened in October 1935 at Slussen in central
Stockholm, Sweden, followed in 1936 by Schkeuditzer Kreuz near Leipzig,
Germany. This is now the interchange between the A 9 and A 14, and has a
single flyover from the westbound A 14 to the southbound A 9. Kamener Kreuz
was the first in continental Europe to open fully in 1937, at A 1 and A 2 near
Dortmund Germany.
FIRST CLOVER LEAF NEW FULL CLOVER LEAF
OLD FULL CLOVER LEAF CLOVERLEAF ON CD ROAD
TYPES OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
• FULL CLOVERLEAF- is the minimum type design interchange that provides

connectivity for all movements between the highways.
TYPES OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
• PARTIAL CLOVERLEAF- are often used where right-of-way, multi-modal,

and/or environmental restrictions preclude ramps in one or more
quadrants.
ADVANTAGES OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
• It provides complete separation of traffic.

• A configuration with loop ramps to safely accommodate left turning
movements that is well suited for intersection of two freeways.
• Well suited for use in rural or urban location where space is available.
• High speed at intersections can be achieved.
DISADVATAGES OF CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
• The interchanges require more right of way area than that required for a
diamond interchange.
• It requires more travel distance for the left turning traffic than the
corresponding movement in a diamond interchange.
• Use of the loop generates a weaving movement within a short distance.
PROBLEM FACED DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
The primary drawback of the classic design of the cloverleaf is that
vehicles merge onto the highway at the end of a loop immediately before
other vehicles leave to go around another loop, creating conflict known as
weaving. Weaving limits the number of lanes of turning traffic.
IMPROVING A CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE
When the Interstate 5 (I-5)/State Route 18 (SR 18) interchange in Federal Way, Washington,
opened to traffic in the early 1960s, its innovative cloverleaf design was unveiled as “state of
the art” in freeway design. As years passed, the area’s commercial and residential growth
resulted in heavy traffic volumes. Increased traffic density, coupled with short weaving
segments, forced drivers to often perform abrupt weaving and merging maneuvers on and
off the freeway, causing severe congestion and potential for highway collisions.
A phasing plan was developed to address the worst accident and congestion locations at
the interchange. The initial phase reconstructed the interchange by eliminating two of the
cloverleaf loop ramps with flyover ramps. The aptly named “flyover ramps” reach as high as
38 feet and pass completely over the interstate, taking vehicles directly from one highway
to the other in a seamless transition to eliminate merging and lane-changing at different
speeds. The project also upgraded ramps and improved connections to and from I-5, SR 18,
and SR 161
The reconstruction replaced two cloverleaf ramps with flyover ramps, upgraded
ramps, and improved connections to and from Interstate 5, State Route 18, and
State Route 161.

Cloverleaf Interchange

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CLOVERLEAF

A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns

• FULL CLOVERLEAF- is the minimum type design interchange that provides

• PARTIAL CLOVERLEAF- are often used where right-of-way, multi-modal,

• It provides complete separation of traffic.

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