https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/02/energy-dept-reignites-bitter-covid-origin-debate-with-shaky-lab-leak-stance

Now provide your source

Okay, got a question about the middle lane. Is it a through traffic driving lane, or a weird medium speed passing lane?

Where I learned to drive (midsize city with a lot of 4-5 lane interstate) if there were more than 2 lanes then the leftmost 2 were through-traffic (passing and driving), and the rest of them were for exiting/entering, or working your way over before or after exiting/entering.