September 14, 2026 6:10 a.m. 

A zipper merge is now in place for drivers traveling on Oregon 42 from Winston to Interstate 5.

Dan Latham of the Oregon Department of Transportation said new signs and pavement markings were added early Thursday morning directing eastbound Oregon 42 drivers to take turns merging near the bridge over Interstate 5, where two lanes narrow to one.

Latham said under the old pattern, most drivers would get in the left lane miles before the merge point. The lane imbalance often stretched back to Kelly’s Corner and beyond, creating congestion, causing delays and affecting operations at upstream intersections.

Drivers are now encouraged to use both lanes all the way to the merge point, then take turns merging like the teeth of a zipper.

Latham said cooperation is the key to making the new system work. Neither lane has priority. The new signs and pavement markings suggest that drivers in both lanes need to move over.

Latham said ODOT has a few recommendations for sharing the road:

• Stay in either lane all the way to the merge point.
• Use a turn signal when the white arrows on the pavement are seen.
• Allow space between vehicles so other drivers can merge.
• Don’t block vehicles trying to merge from the other lane.
• Be patient with other drivers as they adjust to the new pattern.