Contact:
Nick Schirripa, MDOT Office of Communications, 269-337-3927
Agency:
Transportation
July 2, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has started a three-year initiative to install cable median barrier on several divided highways statewide and improve safety for Michigan motorists.
Median cable barrier consists of high-tension steel wire ropes mounted on posts designed to prevent vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. Cable barrier, also know as cable guardrail, is a relatively low-cost solution for reducing cross-median crashes, as well as the severity of median-related crashes.
Some stretches of state roadways in MDOT's Southwest Region will have cable barriers installed.
- I-94 from Michigan/Indiana state line to Maudlin Road, north of New Buffalo (2009-10).
- I-94 from US-12 to the I-94 Business Loop in Stevensville (Lakeshore Drive) (2009-10).
- I-94 from Park Road in Benton Township to the Kalamazoo/Van Buren county line (2009).
- I-94 from Kalamazoo/Van Buren county line to 12th Street (2009-10).
- US-131 from West B. Avenue south of Plainwell to 146th Avenue north of Moline (2009-10).
- I-94 from 40th Street east of Galesburg to Old US-27 in Marshall (2010).
- I-196 from 71st Street north to 118th Avenue (2009-10).
- I-196 from 118th Street north to 130th Avenue (2010-11).
The cable median barriers are being paid for with state transportation safety funding that cannot be used for road maintenance, repair or construction projects.
MDOT began the three-year process of installing 280 miles of the new cable after a median crash analysis done on hundreds of miles of Michigan roadways identified high-crash locations as candidates for the new cable barrier system.
"The Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) in Washington, D.C., will soon begin a radio campaign targeted at Michigan motorists. Their public service announcements will focus on the benefits of our cable guardrail system and how it will save lives and reduce injuries," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "MDOT is one of only six recipients nationwide to receive a grant from the RSF to publicize our safety efforts. We are grateful for their assistance."
MDOT: Working to improve our state roads and bridges.
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