Introducing the Zipper – an Australian first

February 2011

On 31 January 2011, the NSW Government's $175 million Inner West Busway providing 3.5 kilometres of new, dedicated peak hour bus lanes through one of Sydney's busiest commuter corridors.

In an Australian first, a barrier transfer machine known as the Zipper, is being used to move the concrete median every weekday morning to create a dedicated bus lane.

The RFS Sydney Road Services team worked throughout the Christmas holiday period to provide a 'super strength' asphalt pavement to support a 42 tonne capacity along the section of road where the Zipper now operates.

"The asphalting project was successfully delivered on time and to extremely tight deadlines. The Road Services team provided exceptional project management skills, dovetailing the asphalting work into a complex construction program, whilst working alongside a number of external contractors and stakeholders." David Fishburn, Sydney Road Services Manager stated.

The Road Services team are now responsible for the ongoing Zipper operations and new lane management scheme.

Click here for more information about the Inner West Busway project and Zipper machine.