Work zone signs · W20-5
Lane Closed Ahead sign
Archive file: W20-05 Right (Left) Lane Closed (with distance)/W20-05R Right Lane Closed (with distance) Ahead 30x30 2024.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
One or more through lanes close ahead on the side indicated.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 6H.07, paragraph 01, PDF page 846.
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Meaning
Lane Closed Ahead identifies a particular lane that closes farther along. Pennsylvania’s example includes the distance to the closure. This is a warning about available lanes, rather than a statement that the whole road ends.
What to do
Read which lane is affected and the distance shown, then prepare for the work-zone traffic arrangement. Reduce speed and keep watching the posted directions and workers near the roadway.
Where it is used
The sign comes before the closed through lane on a multilane road. Federal wording identifies the right or left lane; a related plural version is used for two or more adjacent closed lanes.
A sign to tell apart
One Lane Road Ahead means both directions will share one lane. Lane Closed Ahead warns of a through-lane closure on a multilane roadway. Do not infer opposing traffic in your lane merely from the lane-closure warning.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. What information does Pennsylvania’s Lane Closed Ahead example provide?
- The speed every vehicle must use after construction.
- The number of workers present today.
- Which lane closes and how far ahead it closes.
Answer: C. Which lane closes and how far ahead it closes.
The handbook describes an identified lane closure at a stated distance.
2. In Pennsylvania, how should you treat a work-zone lane-closure warning before reaching the closure?
- Slow and prepare for the changed lane arrangement.
- Assume every lane stays open until road work ends.
- Continue without checking which lane is named.
Answer: A. Slow and prepare for the changed lane arrangement.
The lane message identifies the restriction, and general work-zone guidance calls for slower, attentive driving.
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.
Pennsylvania
Handbook coverage
PennDOT illustrates a lane-closure warning with a distance message. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an individual exam.
Pennsylvania permit sources · Practice with Pennsylvania questions
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.
