Q. I live in Rhode Island and travel every day to Worcester on Route 146 North. Recently, the section of Route 146 North/South at the Forestdale exits in North Smithfield area have had signs installed that read “under construction” and “lane change,” etc. Before the first snowstorm this year, the travel lanes had construction barrels and road markings such as the solid lines and lane shifts. Since the snowstorm, the barrels have not been placed back, yet the lines are still there and it is confusing to motorists traveling in both directions. Some motorists use the breakdown lane as directed by the lane shifts while others who travel the road every day continue in the so-called construction lane. Can you replace the barrels for construction or cover over the yellow solid lines that designate construction lanes? Thanks.

A. There is currently a lane shift near the Forestdale/Slatersville exits on Route 146 in both the northbound and southbound directions that shifts both travel lanes on Route 146 Northbound to the right. There are solid yellow striping pavement markings to indicate this on the left edge line, and solid white edge lines on the right side as well as the center line. Before the snowstorm, there were drum barrel barricades placed along the left yellow edge line to indicate that this yellow line should not be crossed. During the snowstorm, these barricades were placed to the side of the road by maintenance so that they could plow.

While the drum barrel barricades were placed back onto the highway on Route 146 South, and are currently in place, those for Route 146 North have not been. RIDOT’s construction office will be contacted and asked to place the barrels back along the left edge line to emphasize the lane shift, and make clear to motorists that they should not cross the yellow edge line. We understand that motorists may be confused because the lane shift causes their normal everyday travel lanes to divert in one direction or the other, and therefore they are no longer driving in their usual travel path. Motorists should, however, always obey the pavement markings.

In this case, there is a yellow edge line to the left to indicate the lane shift, as well as a white lane line to separate the two travel lanes. Following the lane line and the edge line are always the simplest way to understand what is expected of a driver. Drum barrel barricades are not required, but are used for additional emphasis to guide the motorists into the shift. They also help to separate the traffic from construction workers. Yellow edge lines should not be crossed. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, “yellow markings for longitudinal lines shall delineate the left edge line of the roadways of divided and one-way highways and ramps. They indicate driving or passing restrictions left of these markings.”

Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of Transportation, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state roads and other state transportation matters.

The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.

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