Date:  Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Contact: Dave McCormick, WSDOT Asst. Regional Administrator, 206-440-4656 (Seattle)
Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4472 (Seattle)

OLYMPIA – Today WSDOT released the 2008 annual report on cable median barrier in Washington State. The report is a follow up to the June 2007 report requested by Governor Chris Gregoire.

“We’re continuing to monitor the performance of cable median barrier around the state,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. “This update shows that cable barrier is saving lives on our highways. Since WSDOT began installing cable barrier in 1995, they have been effective in restraining 95 percent of vehicles from crossing the median.”

In addition to updated performance data on the state’s 177 miles of cable median barrier, the report also includes information on the I-5 Marysville median barrier project and ongoing barrier research.

Cable barrier continues to save lives
As with last year’s findings, the 2008 report confirms that no barrier can prevent injury and death in every crash. Many factors, including weather conditions, speed, and the influence of drugs and alcohol, can contribute to the survivability of a crash. However, while no barrier is 100 percent effective, the data shows that cable median barrier continues to reduce the risk of fatal and serious-injury collisions.

“We will continue to invest in the cable median barrier program because of its proven effectiveness in reducing deaths and serious injuries,” said Hammond. “In areas where cable barrier has been installed, serious injuries and fatalities from crossover collisions have decreased by 73 percent.”

Median barrier work planned for I-5 in Marysville
In 2009 WSDOT will begin work on a project to replace the low-tension cable barrier along northbound I-5 in Marysville with 10 miles of concrete barrier from SR 528 to SR 530. The existing cable barrier system along the southbound I-5 lanes will remain in place to provide redundant protection.

This project was recommended by independent expert Dr. Malcolm Ray in the 2007 report and was funded during the 2008 legislative session. From February 2007 to the printing of this report, there has not been a fatal or serious-injury cross-median collision in the Marysville area.

Ongoing research and implementation of recommendations
In addition to implementing Dr. Ray’s recommendations for I-5 in Marysville, WSDOT has made good progress on the other recommendations in the 2007 report. WSDOT is sponsoring and participating in various research efforts targeted at increasing the effectiveness of cable barrier systems along additional segments of highways, and for vehicles with varying bumper heights.

WSDOT is also actively researching the performance of highway barriers when struck by motorcyclists. This year’s report examined motorcycle collision data from Washington State, from other states, and from around the world. WSDOT did not find any verifiable data that supports the concern that cable barrier poses an increased risk for motorcyclists when compared to other barriers.

Next steps
Cable barrier has been adopted for use in medians in almost every state in the country. WSDOT will continue to expand the use of cable median barrier on Washington highways where appropriate. Engineers will incorporate research to change policies to take advantage of the unique benefits of cable median barrier.

About seven miles of cable median barrier funded by the 2003 and 2005 revenue packages will be installed on sections of I-5, I-90 and SR 599 between 2008 and 2011. In addition, WSDOT has identified another 21 miles of  US 195 and US 395 that are appropriate for cable barrier installations. These projects are also planned for completion between 2008 and 2011.

The 2008 report can be found on WSDOT’s Web site:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/cablebarrier/Report2008

Information about cable median barrier in Washington State can be found at:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/cablebarrier.

Information on the I-5 Marysville median barrier project can be found at:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/MarysvilleMedianBarrier.

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