November 2009
- We released the 2008 Cable Median Barrier Report in September 2008. We will release the 2009 update this fall.
- Visit our photo site to see photos of recent collisions involving cable median barrier.
- In summer 2009 we will begin work to install concrete barrier along a 10-mile stretch of I-5 in Marysville.
- We released the cable barrier report on July 2, 2007. Governor Chris Gregoire requested the detailed review after the Feb. 13 fatal collision in Marysville.
- On May 30, cable barrier stopped a vehicle on northbound I-5 in Marysville.
- We've received several letters from drivers telling us that cable barrier saves lives. These letters began arriving shortly after we finished installing cable barrier in several specific locations vulnerable to crossover collisions.
Overview
In 2008 and 2009, we will install over 12 miles of cable median barrier in Whatcom, King, Cowlitz, Kittitas and Benton counties.
Why is WSDOT
installing cable guardrail?
We install cable guardrail because it helps keep motorists safe. Severe injuries and fatalities often result when a vehicle crosses the median and collides with oncoming traffic. We install barriers in highway medians to help prevent injuries and save lives.
Before installing barrier in medians, our engineers carefully consider whether barrier would enhance safety, and if so, which type of barrier would work best for each location. They consider a wide array of factors:
- accident trends and history
- community and driver comments
- traffic speeds and volume
- road grade, angle and curve
- available median and shoulder space
- slope of the median
- barrier characteristics
- installation and maintenance costs
We use three general types of highway barrier: cable, guardrail and concrete. All of these barriers are designed to protect drivers, though they do so in different ways. All of our newly-installed barriers must meet federal and state guidelines.
The End Result
Cable median barrier helps prevent cars from crossing the median and potentially causing deadly head-on collisions. According to statewide statistics, 95 percent of cars that hit the cable barrier are stopped from crossing the median. No barrier can stop every mishap every time, but cable barrier greatly improves safety for drivers.
Project Benefits
Safety
- Our goal is to help prevent the worst kind of collisions - head-on collisions caused by drivers crossing the median and entering oncoming traffic.
- Cable barrier significantly reduces the number of fatal and disabling accidents.
- The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official’s (AASHTO) benefit/cost analysis of cable median barrier showed such projects to be among the highest benefit safety investments to prevent fatal and disabling accidents.
What is the project timeline?
- I-5 near Kelso: Construction is scheduled for 2008-2011
- I-82 south of Prosser: Construction is scheduled for 2008
- I-90 just west of Cle Elum: Construction is scheduled for 2008
- I-5 near Bellingham: Construction is scheduled for 2009
- I-90 near Issaquah: Construction is scheduled for 2009
- SR 599 in Tukwila: Construction is scheduled for 2009
Financial Information
The costs for installing cable barrier for each of the projects can be found below. These projects were all funded with existing funds:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Snohomish County
Communications Meghan Soptich Pembroke
15700 Dayton Ave. N
PO Box 330310 MS: 103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: (206) 440-4704
E-mail: Pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov
Asst. Regional Administrator for Maintenance
and Operations Dave McCormick
15700 Dayton Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206.440.4656
Email: McCormD@wsdot.wa.gov
Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties
Communications Dustin Terpening
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: (360) 757-5997
E-mail: terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov
Benton, Kittitas, Yakima and Franklin Counties
Communications Mike Westbay
2809 Rudkin Road
Union Gap, WA 98903
Phone: (509) 577-1617
E-mail: westbam@wsdot.wa.gov
Pierce and Kitsap Counties
Communications Lisa Copeland
5270 Capitol Blvd S
Tumwater, WA 98504-6703
Phone: 360-357-2789
E-mail: copelal@wsdot.wa.gov
Cowlitz County
Communications
WSDOT Southwest Region
P.O. Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2078
E-mail: SWwebinfo@wsdot.wa.gov
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