Warns that the road ahead is closed and that through travel will not be possible, giving drivers time to turn or follow a detour before reaching the closure.
MUTCD-style sign reference illustration. Always verify against the official CA MUTCD and Caltrans sign charts.
| Sign code | W20-3 |
|---|---|
| Federal code | W20-3 |
| Name | Road Closed Ahead |
| Category | Warning Signs |
| Shape | Diamond |
| Color | Orange background, black legend |
| California status | Used in California per CA MUTCD |
| Typical CA minimum size | 48" × 48" on conventional roads; 60" × 60" on expressways and freeways |
The official dimensioned layout drawings below show the exact border widths, legend and letter heights, spacing, corner radius, and the standard sizes used to fabricate W20-3. Use them to confirm sign sizing for your road type before finalizing a traffic control plan.
| Application | Size |
|---|---|
| Conventional roads | 48" × 48" |
| Expressways & freeways | 60" × 60" |
Source: CA MUTCD Part 6F (TTC) & Part 2C (warning sign design). Confirm the exact size for your road type and speed against the current CA MUTCD and the official layout drawing.
Layout drawing extracted from the FHWA Standard Highway Signs (public domain). Verify exact dimensions and sizes against the current CA MUTCD, Caltrans sign specifications, and Standard Plans for your application.
Download this sign or open the official MUTCD reference.
Official source: FHWA Standard Highway Signs, 2024 (11th Edition) — Warning & Temporary Traffic Control signs.
This is an educational reference. Verify sign use, size, placement, and application against the current CA MUTCD, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, and the reviewing agency. Official source links are gathered in one place.
View official sourcesWarns that the road ahead is closed and that through travel will not be possible, giving drivers time to turn or follow a detour before reaching the closure.
Warns that the road ahead is closed and that through travel will not be possible, giving drivers time to turn or follow a detour before reaching the closure. In the field, W20-3 Road Closed Ahead is typically positioned at the advance warning area, ahead of the work. Common deployments include advance warning ahead of a full roadway closure; used with R11-2 / R11-3a and detour markers; common on utility cuts, paving, and emergency closures. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
Placed in advance of a closure in a California TTC zone, working together with regulatory ROAD CLOSED (R11-2) signing and detour route markers at the closure point.
Common field deployments
Agency review note
StreetsLA, LA County DPW, and Caltrans District 7 may require larger sizes or additional devices. Verify with the reviewing agency before finalizing the TCP.
Typical minimum: 48" × 48" on conventional roads; 60" × 60" on expressways and freeways.
Sizes are CA MUTCD minimums and vary by roadway classification and speed. Verify against the CA MUTCD 2026 (CA MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control), Chapter 6F; warning-sign design in Part 2C), Caltrans sign specifications, and the reviewing agency.
Where it sits: Advance warning area, ahead of the work.
CA MUTCD reference: CA MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control), Chapter 6F; warning-sign design in Part 2C.
In Los Angeles, full closures typically require coordination with LADOT for signal timing, LA County Metro where transit routes are affected, and public-notice requirements under City or county ordinance. On state highways in LA County, Caltrans District 7 reviews the encroachment permit; county roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Confirm closure limits match the approved permit exactly.
Confirm the warning is paired with regulatory closure signing and a viable detour or local-access plan. Public Ready reviews closure and detour coordination.
These signs are typically deployed alongside W20-3 on a California TCP.
Closing a road on a California project? Public Ready can provide ROAD CLOSED AHEAD (W20-3) and the matching closure and detour signs.
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Educational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements.
This sign is commonly used in temporary traffic control work zones. Learn more about temporary traffic control requirements, setup, and field readiness at WorkZoneCompliance.com.
Learn more at WorkZoneCompliance.comPublic Ready can help with W20-3 Road Closed Ahead — including sign rental or purchase, road-closure signs, barricades, closure permits, and agency coordination, and agency-review support for Caltrans District 7, the City of Los Angeles, and LA County.
