Shoulder work sign: what it means
The SHOULDER WORK sign warns of work on the shoulder ahead. The travel lanes are open, but workers and equipment are close.
What does the SHOULDER WORK sign mean?
MUTCD Section 6H.22 says shoulder work signs warn of maintenance, reconstruction or utility work on the shoulder where the roadway is unobstructed. The legend is SHOULDER WORK, or RIGHT (LEFT) SHOULDER CLOSED.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- The shoulder is lower than the road.
- Work on the shoulder ahead; the road is open.
- A lane is closed ahead; merge in time.
Show answer
B. Work on the shoulder ahead; the road is open. Work is taking place on the shoulder ahead (MUTCD Section 6H.22). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6H.22, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
On highways and freeways before work on the shoulder.
What should you do?
Slow down and, if you can do it safely, move over a lane away from the work.
What do people get wrong?
Using the shoulder to pass or to stop near the work.
Common questions
Is a lane closed?
No. Section 6H.22 says the sign is used where the roadway is unobstructed.
What does RIGHT SHOULDER CLOSED mean?
The shoulder on that side cannot be used, often on freeways.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 6H.22.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6H.22, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.