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Multilane Lane Closure Traffic Control Plans
Close one lane of a 4+ lane road; traffic merges past on the remaining lanes behind a taper and arrow board.
Real MUTCD dimensions, a title block, and a printable sheet — no account, no cost.
Build this plan free — takes about 2 minutesWhat this setup is
The multilane closure is where taper length stops being a rounding error. Below 45 mph MUTCD uses L = W·S²/60; at 45 mph and above it switches to L = W·S. For a 12 ft lane that is the difference between a 245 ft taper at 35 mph and a 660 ft taper at 55 mph — and a taper set too short is the single most common reason a merge backs up into the advance warning area.
National MUTCD dimensions
Governing typical application: TA-30 — Lane Closure on a Multilane Street. Assumptions: urban collector, 4 through lanes, 12 ft lanes, 12 ft lateral offset, 100 ft work space, short-term duration. Rule set MUTCD 11th Ed. + 50-state/DC adoption layer + ID/ACHD profiles, rule set 2026-08 rev 4. State pages below use the same engine with that state’s adopted rule set.
| Posted speed | Taper length (merging) | Advance signs A / B / C | Longitudinal buffer | Device spacing taper / tangent | Channelizing devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mph | 125 ft | 100 ft / 100 ft / 100 ft | 155 ft | 25 ft / 50 ft | 18 |
| 35 mph | 245 ft | 250 ft / 250 ft / 250 ft | 250 ft | 35 ft / 70 ft | 18 |
| 45 mph | 540 ft | 350 ft / 350 ft / 350 ft | 360 ft | 45 ft / 90 ft | 24 |
| 55 mph | 660 ft | 350 ft / 350 ft / 350 ft | 495 ft | 55 ft / 110 ft | 23 |
Multilane Lane Closure plans by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Questions people actually ask
How long is the merging taper for a lane closure in your state?
It depends on posted speed and the width being closed. MUTCD uses L = W·S²/60 below 45 mph and L = W·S at 45 mph and above. The table above computes it for a 12 ft lane at four speeds; the builder recomputes it for your actual lane width.
Do I need an arrow board?
For a stationary lane closure on a multilane road, yes — the arrow board goes at the beginning of the merging taper. It supplements the channelizing devices and the advance signs; it does not replace either.
Does this cover freeway and divided-highway closures?
No, and the tool refuses rather than approximating. TA-30 assumes a non-divided two-way road with four or more through lanes. Divided highways and freeways run off their own plates and need a sheet designed for them.
Real MUTCD dimensions, a title block, and a printable sheet — no account, no cost.
Build this plan free — takes about 2 minutesDISCLAIMER — READ BEFORE USE
This traffic control plan was generated by an automated tool for planning and reference purposes only. It is based on the MUTCD 11th Edition Part 6 typical applications and the agency rule set selected above. It is not a certified, sealed, or professionally engineered document and has not been reviewed against actual field conditions at this site. It must be reviewed, adapted to field conditions, and approved by a qualified person — and, where required, by the permitting agency and/or a licensed Professional Engineer — before use. Field conditions govern. The user is solely responsible for work-zone safety, for conformance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, and for obtaining all required permits. PM Axsus disclaims all liability arising from use of this document.