Zipper merge pilot project to be incorporated into Lagimodiere Boulevard lane closure

Released: June 9, 2015 at 12:06 p.m.

Winnipeg, MB - The City is launching a zipper merge pilot project, as directed by Council on May 27, 2015, at an existing work zone on Lagimodiere Boulevard beginning June 10. When a lane is closed for construction, a zipper merge occurs when drivers use both lanes until reaching a defined merge point. At the merge point drivers then take turns merging into the open lane in a “zipper” like fashion (view a zipper merge diagram).

The goals of using the zipper merge are:

  • to reduce the length of the traffic queue waiting to enter the construction zone, which can reduce congestion at intersections leading up to the closure, and
  • to encourage similar speeds in both lanes at the merge point for safety. Speed differentials between vehicles are a significant risk factor in motor vehicle collisions.

The zipper merge pilot project will take place on northbound Lagimodiere Boulevard which is currently reduced to one lane of traffic between a point north of Fermor Avenue to Dugald Road for a planned repaving project, and is scheduled to reopen in early July.

To notify motorists that they should use the zipper merge technique, three Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards will be added to the existing work zone traffic control displaying messages that encourage drivers to use both lanes until reaching the defined merge point and to take turns merging. The use of VMS boards to instruct drivers on the zipper merge is based on established practice in other jurisdictions. Motorists are reminded to merge only when it is safe to do so. The VMS boards will look like this:

VMS boards

The City’s Public Works Department will monitor and collect data during this pilot project to determine its effectiveness and to assess driver behaviour. Explicitly encouraging zipper merge behaviour is new to Winnipeg. Once the data is collected and analyzed, the City will determine if zipper merge should be expanded to other construction zones.

For more information on the City of Winnipeg’s zipper merge pilot project, please see City of Winnipeg - Zipper Merge Pilot Project.

News

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.