Signs Encouraging Drivers to ‘Zipper Merge’ Installed

Lebanon (Friday, October 25, 2019) – New signs encouraging motorists to “zipper” their way cautiously into traffic have been installed on U.S. Route 22 in Warren County.

Today, October 25, ODOT District 8’s Warren County maintenance crews installed signs that read “Use Both Lanes” and “Take Turns Merging” on eastbound U.S. 22 near Old Mill Road in Landen, where the route changes from five to three lanes.

Commonly known as a ‘zipper merge,’ this late merge tactic is to encourage drivers to use both lanes up to the merge point, taking turns easing into the single lane and merging like a zipper. With traffic flowing in both lanes, the zipper merge has proven to ease congestion, increase efficiency and balance drivers’ rate of speed. As a result, the zipper merge is typically a safer merge pattern.

With the signs going up today, motorists are now encouraged to use both lanes and take turns merging safely and politely!

Pictured are Warren County highway technicians Kelli Voris and Kelly Moore installing one of two signs on US 22 in Landen today encouraging motorists to 'zipper' merge.

For more information contact: 
Kathleen Fuller, 513-933-6517
Liz Lyons, 513-933-6534
ODOT District 8 Public Information

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