Construction Zone Lane Restrictions

There is a freeway construction project going on along my daily commute. As a part of the construction zone, a piece of land between the freeway and a parallel 4 lane road has been restricted for construction vehicle access along this road. I have been watching the configuration of the lane restrictions (signs, traffic cones, etc) and noticed something odd. See the ascii drawing below.

The construction project has an office (a trailer) and buttociated parking for what appears to be a couple of cars and pickup trucks (probably the foreman, and other related management). This lies just to the west of the 4 lane road and is accessed through a standard curb cut and (gravel) driveway, pretty much the same as other businesses do. At this point, the road is narrowed down to two center lanes with cones, illuminated arrows, etc. Not only is the west lane (adjacent to the office) blocked, but the far east lane (the opposite direction of travel) blocked as well. There is no construction activity on that side of the road.

At the office location, there is no access for heavy construction equipment, due to the height of the hillside adjacent to the freeway. The only people using the driveway appear to be the office occupants.

Meanwhile, about 200 yards north of this location, there is another curb cut and gravel driveway for access to the freeway shoulder. This is where the heavy equipment enters and exits the job site. But, there is no lane restriction or other marking there. They just sent out a couple of flaggers whenever they drive trucks through there.

Questions:

1) Why do the office trailer's occupants rate this level of traffic control? Businesses just down the street seem to get along with the existing traffic flow.

2) Why block the opposite lane as well?

------------------------------------------------------------- restricted lane -------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------- restricted lane ----+ +-----------------------------------+ +--------

Job Site +-------+ Contractor's Equipment trailer Office Access +-------+ Parking

-- ------------------------------------------------------------------ I have a very firm grasp on reality. I can reach out and strangle it any time!