I maintain that the best way to minimize the effect of a lane closure is to use whatever lanes are legal/open for as long as possible -- because leaving an open

I maintain that the best way to minimize the effect of a lane closure is to use whatever lanes are legal/open for as long as possible -- because leaving an open lane of travel unused only exacerbates the problem. I agree with you. Fully packing an 'ending' lane until it actually ends is most efficient from a road usage point of view. (I have lived for 10+ years in the Boston area but did not grow up there.