OLATHE — It’s called the zipper and it’s not the latest ride at the county fair. The Kansas Dept. of Transportation is joining Missouri and a handful of states that have adopted what is officially called the “zipper merge.” The zipper debuted on I-35 in Johnson County this week. Using electronic signs and Doppler radar, the method gets drivers to take turns when approaching lane closures, most often associated with road construction. KDOT said the zipper is designed to prevent the automotive scramble for space before lane closings. The concept is simple but KDOT said that kids seem to understand it better than some adult drivers.
Wednesday, July 13, 3 p.m.
