Construction Zone Lane Restrictions

There is a freeway construction project going on along my daily commute.
As a part of the construction zone, a piece of land between the freeway
and a parallel 4 lane road has been restricted for construction vehicle
access along this road. I have been watching the configuration of the
lane restrictions (signs, traffic cones, etc) and noticed something odd.
See the ascii drawing below.

The construction project has an office (a trailer) and associated
parking for what appears to be a couple of cars and pickup trucks
(probably the foreman, and other related management). This lies just to
the west of the 4 lane road and is accessed through a standard curb cut
and (gravel) driveway, pretty much the same as other businesses do. At
this point, the road is narrowed down to two center lanes with cones,
illuminated arrows, etc. Not only is the west lane (adjacent to the
office) blocked, but the far east lane (the opposite direction of
travel) blocked as well. There is no construction activity on that side
of the road.

At the office location, there is no access for heavy construction
equipment, due to the height of the hillside adjacent to the freeway.
The only people using the driveway appear to be the office occupants.

Meanwhile, about 200 yards north of this location, there is another curb
cut and gravel driveway for access to the freeway shoulder. This is
where the heavy equipment enters and exits the job site. But, there is
no lane restriction or other marking there. They just sent out a couple
of flaggers whenever they drive trucks through there.

Questions:

1) Why do the office trailer's occupants rate this level of traffic
control? Businesses just down the street seem to get along with the
existing traffic flow.

2) Why block the opposite lane as well?


<<--- North

-------------------------------------------------------------
restricted lane /
--------/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


================================================== ===========


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
/-------
/ restricted lane
----+ +-----------------------------------+ +--------
<--- about 200 yards --------------->

Job Site +-------+ Contractor's
Equipment |trailer| Office
Access +-------+ Parking



--
Paul Hovnanian
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I have a very firm grasp on reality. I can reach out and strangle it any
time!