Zipper merge: Are commuters able to put their politeness aside and merge later?



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Drivers are being asked to do things differently on one stretch of I-94 in Milwaukee County. It's all because of something called a "zipper merge."

On Monday, December 8th, the "zipper merge" made its debut on westbound I-94 at 70th Street. Wisconsin's Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hopes the method of merging can cut traffic backups by as much as 40 percent. But in a state where drivers tend to merge as soon as possible, it may take some time for commuters to come to terms with lingering in the left lane.

"Wisconsin drivers and just people in general, they`re very polite. We get in line early. We, you know, make sure that everybody sorta follows the rules," said Michael Pyritz of WisDOT.

So far, WisDOT officials say compliance with the new merging method has not been as high as some hoped. But they will monitor how well Wisconsinites adapt in the weeks to come.

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