BROOKFIELD - The zipper merge is back and it's slowing things down on I-94 as the next phase of the Zoo Interchange project gets under way.
Saturday was the first day the DOT began restricting eastbound I-94 from three lanes down to two between Sunnyslope and Highway 100.
It was already creating a mess on Saturday, so you can only imagine what will happen on Monday.
Drivers headed to Milwaukee from the western suburbs all summer should get ready for big delays as crews construct new lanes.
The zipper merge forces drivers to use all lanes as they advance to the actual merge point, and then, one by one, move over.
For those who don't want to deal with it, the DOT is advising eastbound traffic to exit at Moorland Road and then use either Greenfield or Blue Mound to head east.
The alternative route appeared to work on Monday, as traffic moved without delays.
"Actually I was on here earlier this morning and I saw it backed up but coming now, it's all backed up past Moorland Road. It's like nuts!” driver Mark Fuerbringer said. “Unbelievable out there, and to get off on Moorland is almost up to Barker Road, the right lane is shut down that far back.”
The zipper merge is all part of the Zoo Interchange project, which is expected to be completed sometime next year.
