Hard to determine if it is real, as you can't see or verify the work zone leading to this. That said... I have designed numerous traffic control plans for highway and street construction, and sometimes shit like this was mandated into plans because of right of way negotiations, etc. Basically it's easier for the DOT to throw a magic sign into the works than it would be to defend against an economic damages lawsuit, when the business has years of earnings data and any hiccups could be quantified fairly readily. It's kind of like watching chick flicks with your wife: You'd really prefer not to, but it helps preserve the peace and your well being.