I once saw a memorable setup on a fairly desolate piece of Queensland highway: There were three flagmen (as they are or were called Down Under) spaced over with a few hundred meters between them, each with a flag warning me to slow down, roadwork ahead. At the other end three others, of course, to take care of traffic in the opposite direction.

But here's the thing: There wasn't any roadwork in between. There had been, but everything was neatly packed away.

Then again, I've worked in public administration. Nothing will shock me.