Lane Closure Services in Florida & South Georgia

Closing a lane on a busy road takes planning and precision. You can't just throw up some cones and start working. FDOT and GDOT have strict rules about how to set up lane closures safely. Sun State Traffic Control handles the entire process from permit applications through final equipment removal. Our trained crews install compliant lane closures on interstates, highways, and city streets throughout Florida and South Georgia.

We bring everything you need. Signs that meet MUTCD standards. Drums and barricades positioned at the correct spacing. Arrow boards pointing traffic safely around your work area. Trained personnel who know what they're doing. You focus on your construction work while we manage the traffic control.

What Goes Into a Proper Lane Closure

Advance Warning Signs

Drivers need to know a lane is closing long before they reach it. We place warning signs at distances calculated based on road speed. A 65 mph highway needs signs starting 1500 feet back. A 35 mph city street needs them 500 feet back. These signs give drivers time to merge safely before the lane actually ends.

The signs follow a specific sequence. First comes the general warning that road work is ahead. Then a sign showing which lane closes. Then a distance sign showing how far until the closure. Each sign builds on the previous one so drivers get progressively more specific information as they approach.

Taper Setup

The taper is where the closed lane funnels into the open lane. This transition zone needs precise spacing of channelizing devices. FDOT and GDOT specify exact taper lengths based on speed limits. Get the spacing wrong and you create a dangerous merge point. Our crews calculate and install tapers correctly every time.

We use drums or cones spaced progressively closer together as the taper narrows. This creates a visual guide that naturally steers drivers into the open lane. The pattern is smooth and predictable so drivers know exactly where to go.

Work Space Protection

Once traffic is out of the closed lane, we protect the actual work area. Type III barricades block the lane completely. Additional drums create a buffer zone between moving traffic and your workers. For high speed roads, we add LCDs or truck mounted attenuators for crash protection.

The goal is creating enough separation that a distracted driver who drifts into the closed lane won't immediately hit workers or equipment. Multiple layers of protection give you margins for error that could save lives.

Arrow Boards and Lighting

Arrow boards with flashing yellow lights direct drivers around the closure. The arrow pattern shows which direction to merge. At night or in low visibility, these boards become critical. We position arrow boards where drivers need them most, typically at the start of the taper.

For nighttime work, we add supplemental lighting. Flashing warning lights on signs. Reflective sheeting on all devices. Extra illumination in the work zone itself. Visibility matters enormously when ambient light is gone.

Types of Lane Closures We Handle

Single Lane Closures

The most common type closes one lane while keeping others open. This works for utility repairs, bridge inspections, or construction on one side of the road. Traffic still flows but at reduced capacity. Setup is straightforward but needs to be done right to prevent backups and accidents.

Multiple Lane Closures

Larger projects sometimes need to close two or even three lanes on a multilane highway. This requires more advance warning, longer tapers, and careful coordination with traffic patterns. We often work with law enforcement or use pace vehicles to help manage traffic flow during the transition.

Rolling Closures

Some operations move along the road continuously. Striping. Crack sealing. Certain paving operations. The closure moves with the work crew. This requires special equipment and techniques to keep the protective zone traveling at the right speed. Our crews have experience managing these dynamic situations.

Full Road Closures

When you need to close an entire road, detours become essential. We don't just block the road. We set up complete detour routes with signs directing traffic to alternate paths. Then we block all access points to the closed road so confused drivers can't accidentally enter the work zone.

Interstate Ramp Closures

Closing an interstate entrance or exit ramp involves coordination with the mainline traffic and local streets. Drivers need early notification that their planned exit is closed. Detour signs need to route them to the next exit and back to their destination. These closures need extra advance planning.

Permits and Coordination

Getting Closure Permits

FDOT and GDOT don't let just anyone close lanes whenever they want. You need advance permission. The permit application includes your traffic control plan, project timeline, and justification for the closure. Sun State Traffic Control has relationships with permit offices across Florida and South Georgia. We know what they want to see and how to get approvals efficiently.

Some closures need weeks of advance notice. Others can be approved in days for emergency repairs. We understand which situations require what level of notice and how to expedite when time is critical.

Time Restrictions

Many roads have restrictions on when lanes can be closed. No closures during rush hour. No weekend closures on tourist routes. Special restrictions during holidays or major events. We track all these requirements and schedule your closures during approved windows.

Sometimes the only available time is overnight. Our crews work night shifts regularly. We have the experience and equipment to set up safe lane closures in darkness. The setup process is the same but the visibility challenges require extra attention and lighting.

Law Enforcement Coordination

Major closures often need police presence. Officers help manage traffic during the initial setup when drivers are first encountering the closure. They respond to accidents or incidents in the work zone. Sun State Traffic Control coordinates with local law enforcement when your project requires their involvement.

How We Manage Your Lane Closure

Pre-Closure Planning

Before closure day, we review your approved traffic control plan in detail. We verify we have all required equipment. We check weather forecasts. We confirm crew availability. We notify you of any last minute issues that could affect the schedule.

Equipment Staging

Our trucks arrive loaded with everything needed. Signs. Drums. Barricades. Arrow boards. Cones. Flagger gear if needed. Nothing gets forgotten because we use detailed checklists developed over hundreds of closures.

Installation

We start from the furthest advance warning sign and work toward the work zone. Signs go up first. Then channelizing devices. Then arrow boards. Then final barricades protecting the work space. The sequence matters because it allows traffic to see what's happening progressively.

Our crews work efficiently but never rush. Safety during setup is just as important as safety during the work itself. We watch traffic patterns and adjust our positioning to stay out of danger.

Monitoring During Work

Lane closures aren't set and forget operations. Drivers hit drums. Wind knocks over signs. Equipment shifts. We check the closure regularly throughout your work period. Anything out of position gets corrected immediately.

Removal and Cleanup

When your work finishes, we remove everything in reverse order. Work space protection comes down first. Then channelizing devices. Then advance signs. We sweep up debris and make sure nothing is left behind. The road looks like we were never there.