The ‘Zipper Technique’ or how to avoid the frustration of driving in heavy traffic

The Texas Department of Transportation is suggesting drivers utilize the “Zipper Technique” as I-10 is shut down over the weekend.

The freeway will be closed in both directions downtown starting at 8 p.m. on Friday. It will not re-open until Monday at 6 a.m. The closure will allow construction crews to work on the Kansas street utility bridge that needs to be rebuilt after a semi-truck hit it in late July.

Large cranes will be brought in to rebuild the bridge a section at a time.

Drivers are advised to let fellow motorists merge in front of them before arriving at the obstruction in order to keep the lanes of traffic flowing. It’s called the “Zipper Technique” because each car in the non-obstructed lane allows a driver in front of them in order to form one lane.

If all drivers follow the technique, TxDOT says, it should allow a safe environment for everyone to get where they need to go in an adequate amount of time.