W21-5 Shoulder Work
Warns that work is taking place on the shoulder ahead, alerting drivers to workers and equipment near the edge of the traveled way.
- Sign Name
- Shoulder Work
- General Meaning
- Warns that work is taking place on the shoulder ahead, alerting drivers to workers and equipment near the edge of the traveled way.
- MUTCD Code
- W21-5
- Typical Use
- Approach to the activity area.
- 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
Shoulder repairs, striping, and maintenance. 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, W21-5 Shoulder Work is typically positioned at the approach to the activity area. Common deployments include shoulder repairs, striping, and maintenance; operations that keep travel lanes open; paired with channelizing devices along the shoulder. 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 Shoulder Work sign requirementsWhen & Where It's Used
- Shoulder repairs, striping, and maintenance
- Operations that keep travel lanes open
- Paired with channelizing devices along the shoulder
Placement on a Traffic Control Plan
- Where it sits
- Approach to the activity area.
- 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 on California highways and streets for shoulder operations that do not close a travel lane but place workers and equipment on the shoulder.
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
- Sign not shown at the correct advance distance for the posted speed.
- Advance warning sign missing or out of sequence on the TCP.
- Wrong size specified for the roadway classification (conventional vs. expressway).
- Sign sheeting / retroreflectivity class not noted on the plan.
Confirm shoulder buffer and device placement protect the work area without intruding on the travel lane. Public Ready reviews shoulder setups.
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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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