W4-2L Left Lane Ends
Warns that the left travel lane ends ahead and that traffic in the left lane must merge into the adjacent lane where the roadway narrows.
- Sign Name
- Left Lane Ends
- General Meaning
- Warns that the left travel lane ends ahead and that traffic in the left lane must merge into the adjacent lane where the roadway narrows.
- MUTCD Code
- W4-2L
- Typical Use
- Advance warning area, ahead of the work.
- Sign Category
- Warning Signs
Specifications
- Standard Shape
- Diamond
- Background Color
- Orange
- Legend / Symbol
- Black legend
- Border
- Black
- Reflectivity
- High Intensity (for nighttime visibility)
- Compliance
- MUTCD / CA MUTCD
Standard Sizes (inches)
- 30 in Diamond30" × 30"
- 36 in Diamond36" × 36"
- 48 in Diamond48" × 48"
- 60 in Diamond60" × 60"
Material / Application Notes
Left-lane reductions and merging tapers in work zones. Confirm placement and supplemental plaques against the applicable CA MUTCD standard.
View this sign on the Federal MUTCD (FHWA)California Notes
California-specific application notes and adoptions may differ. Review California requirements where applicable.
What It Means / When This Sign Is Used
In the field, W4-2L Left Lane Ends is typically positioned at the advance warning area, ahead of the work. Common deployments include left-lane reductions and merging tapers in work zones; supplements W20-5 series lane-closure signs where the left lane closes; used where the left lane is permanently dropped near work. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
Learn more about Left Lane Ends sign requirementsWhen & Where It's Used
- Left-lane reductions and merging tapers in work zones
- Supplements W20-5 series lane-closure signs where the left lane closes
- Used where the left lane is permanently dropped near work
Placement on a Traffic Control Plan
- 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
- Typical minimum size
- 48" × 48" on conventional roads; 60" × 60" on expressways and freeways
California / Field Use Notes
Used in California lane-closure tapers when the left lane is dropped, reinforcing the merge as the left lane ends and supplementing the word-message lane-closure warnings.
In Los Angeles, this sign must conform to CA MUTCD 2026. Work in City of LA right-of-way is reviewed by StreetsLA and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE); state highways in LA County are permitted and reviewed by Caltrans District 7; county roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Sizes, retroreflectivity, and placement must meet CA MUTCD minimums — local agencies may require larger signs based on roadway class, speed, pedestrian volume, and proximity to schools or transit.
Common Plan Review Comments
- Merge direction on the sign does not match the open lane in the field.
- Taper begins before the lane-closure warning is reached.
- Sign spacing not adjusted for the posted speed.
- Wrong size specified for a multilane facility.
Verify the symbol shows the LEFT lane ending and that the merge matches the open lane and taper. Public Ready confirms merge symbols agree with the lane-closure plan.
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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. Local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements, and final selection, placement, and dimensions may require engineering judgment or agency approval. Written against California MUTCD 2026 (effective January 18, 2026) and the Federal MUTCD 11th Edition. Official sources last verified June 2026.
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