Interesting... perhaps a few more details may be in order here.
This is a permanent design in the road. Not a temporary closure.
Traffic slowdown had more to do with the congestion on the far right exit.
Since the traffic was breaking up after that exit.. which is before the bend in the road.
IE there was plenty of road for the traffic to run 3 lanes wide, and then allow merging for the lane closure.
I will agree that I would have perceived it as wrong, had I been forced to push my way into the merging lane.
And if this was a temporary closure due to construction, an accident or some other irregular blockage.
However since the road is always like that, I don't understand why the rest of the traffic doesn't utilize the 3rd lane further than one mile before the first sign.
I'm also in the habit of flashing lights at big rigs signalling a lane change in front of me to let me know it's clear to come on over.
I picked up that habit years ago on a trip to LA.
That being a good protocol, how do most of you feel about flashing your brights when in the fast lane upon coming up on someone going slower in the fast lane? I know that's a common practice in the EU.
But it seems here it's perceived as rude.
Personally I think it rather rude to do the speed limit or slower in the far left lane, if the lane to the right is open.
Still interested in more opinions.