Richmond, VA – According to the VDOT officials, with a zipper merge, traffic entering an active work zone uses both travel lanes up to the single lane closure and then takes turns at the merge point to form a single lane, traveling past the work zone.
VDOT officials also said that for this pilot project, the zipper merge will only be activated when lengthy queues or traffic congestion form prior to the work zone.
Sensors will activate dynamic electronic message boards at key decision points as drivers approach the work zone.
Drivers will be instructed to use all lanes up to the merge point, where they will take turns to merge and form a single lane.
It is expected that traffic will move through the work zone more efficiently with reduced queue lengths and reduced delays.
Under non-congested conditions, motorists will merge to a single lane as they normally would for a work zone.
The first use of the zipper merges will take place during spring 2024 on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County.
