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Department of Highways, District 5
Median Cable Barriers Help Reduce Highway Fatalities
Median Cable Barriers Help Reduce Highway Fatalities
At Least Twenty Potential Cross-Over Crashes Prevented
LOUISVILLE, KY (November 6, 2006) – Since installation this summer, median cable barriers have prevented at least 20 potential cross-over crashes on Jefferson County interstates. In each of these incidents, the cable barriers kept vehicles from crossing the median into opposing traffic. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded a $3.3 million contract earlier this year for the installation of median cable barriers along 14 miles of interstate roadway.
“Governor Fletcher championed the use of these median cable barriers,” said Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert. “The primary seatbelt, quick clearance and graduated driver’s license laws, combined with engineering improvements like the cable barriers, are helping fulfill the Governor’s directive to reduce highway fatalities across the state. Currently, highway deaths are at a five year low in Kentucky.”
The system on Interstate 64 was installed between the Cochran Hill Tunnels and ½ mile east of Breckenridge Lane. Construction was completed in late July and since that time the system has been impacted four times by vehicles.
The cable barriers on Interstate 71 stretch from downtown Louisville to the Jefferson/Oldham County line. Vehicles struck the system twice while this area was under construction. Since the work was completed in mid-September, this section has been hit 14 times including one incident involving a semi-truck.
“The use of these devices coupled with recent enacted legislation are furthering our mission to provide a safe and reliable transportation system for motorists,” said Commissioner of Highways Marc Williams. “We are moving forward with plans for installations along the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265).”
MAC Construction and Excavating Inc. performed the construction work which began in June and was completed in mid-September. As part of the contract, whenever the cable barriers are impacted the contractor must make repairs to the system within 96 hours.
Construction will begin next year on the installation of cable barriers in the median of the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265) between I-65 and I-71.
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