Work zone signs · W20-4
One Lane Road Ahead sign
Archive file: W20-04 One Lane Road (with distance)/W20-04 One Lane Road (with distance) Ahead 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
Opposing traffic must share a single lane ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 6H.06, paragraph 01, PDF page 846.
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Meaning
One Lane Road Ahead warns that opposing directions must share one lane farther ahead. It does not simply mean that one lane on your side of a divided road is closing. Kansas illustrates this warning among work-zone signs.
What to do
Reduce speed and prepare for traffic control through the shared lane. In Kansas, a flagger can direct you to wait, slow or move, and you must obey those directions.
Where it is used
The sign is before the section where both directions use the same lane. The message may provide a distance or use Ahead, giving you time to prepare before reaching that section.
A sign to tell apart
Lane Closed Ahead concerns one or more through lanes closed on a multilane road. One Lane Road Ahead identifies the shared lane used by opposing traffic. These warnings describe different traffic arrangements.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. A Kansas work-zone approach shows One Lane Road Ahead. What arrangement does the federal sign identify?
- Both directions will have separate one-way roads.
- Opposing traffic will share one lane.
- A new lane will be added for entering traffic.
Answer: B. Opposing traffic will share one lane.
The warning applies before the common lane used by traffic in both directions.
2. A Kansas flagger holds you before the shared lane. What should you do?
- Enter when you cannot see an approaching vehicle.
- Use the shoulder to pass the waiting line.
- Wait and follow the flagger’s instructions.
Answer: C. Wait and follow the flagger’s instructions.
The handbook requires obedience to a work-zone flagger’s directions.
State source coverage
Handbook coverage and sample questions do not prove that a sign will appear on your exam. Even a published test scope cannot guarantee an individual exam question.
Kansas
Handbook coverage
Kansas illustrates One Lane Road Ahead in its work-zone sign group. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an individual exam.
State variations
State-specific variations have not been independently established for this study.
Verified question coverage
These free state-bank questions were independently verified. This does not establish complete state-bank readiness, app availability or what will appear on your permit exam.
No currently verified state-bank question is available for this sign.
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
This meaning is a federal MUTCD reference. Check your state's handbook for its rules and sign coverage; this page does not establish what appears on a state permit exam.
Try the free road sign quiz or find your state's handbook.
