Drivers Should Use Zipper Merge During Route 38 Construction

This is a press release from the City of Geneva:

GENEVA, IL — If your travels have taken you along East State Street (Route 38) recently, you likely have been caught up in construction delays. During rush hours, eastbound traffic has backed up so far that it is blocking the Route 31 intersection, causing even further congestion.

Three utility companies are currently relocating underground utilities from Route 25 to East Side Drive as the first phase of the East State Street reconstruction project, limiting traffic to one lane in each direction. The corridor will continue to experience significant lane closures for the next several years. Utility work will extend into spring 2026, when the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) plans to begin operations on the multi-year reconstruction project, west of Kirk Road to the Fox River.

So fair to say road construction and traffic delays will be the new normal on East State Street. For those who cannot find an alternate route, Geneva Police are encouraging drivers to use a dynamic lane merge, otherwise known as a zipper merge, to help alleviate some of the traffic congestion. For people not familiar with zipper merge, IDOT has provided a diagram and a short informational video explaining how the system works.

Light Congestion

If lanes are reduced due to road work, and the street has light congestion, drivers should merge early into the open lane. Merging early helps maintain traffic flow and cuts down on accidents.

Heavy Congestion

During rush hours or slow-moving traffic, motorists should use both lanes up to the work zone. Then, they should take turns merging into the open lane, like a zipper. This system will help reduce the length of backups and the difference in speeds on East State Street.
In general, drivers should:

• Follow signage and flaggers who may be directing traffic on the roadway
• Not block intersections. This could impact emergency responses from our Police and Fire departments.
• Be respectful and patient when navigating through traffic.

The Geneva Police Department appreciates those doing their part to keep roadways safe, especially in construction work zones.

This press release was produced by the City of Geneva. The views expressed here are the author’s own.