Cable barriers will improve I-5 median safety this year

COURSE CORRECTION:
A cable barrier like this will prevent even heavy trucks from crossing the I-5 median between Anderson and Redding after a $2.3 million retrofit project is completed later this summer, Caltrans officials announced recently.

To reduce the danger of head-on collisions on Interstate 5, Caltrans has begun construction of a $2.3 million cable median barrier from the Deschutes interchange in Anderson to the Hilltop interchange in Redding, according to Caltrans Project Manager Chris Harvey.

The fence-like barrier, consisting of steel cables and breakaway posts, was designed to keep wayward vehicles from crossing the median into oncoming traffic, thus preventing a head-on collision. Construction on the barrier is not expected to impede traffic and is due for completion in October, according to Caltrans representatives.

"There has been a history of cross-median accidents in the locations," Harvey said, citing three accidents from 2000 to 2004. "The amount of traffic at these locations is increasing .... This is a proactive project to eliminate cross-median accidents at the project locations."

The barrier would not be continuous from Anderson to Redding, with an interruption from the Knighton Road area to the South Bonneyview Interchange. Eight small breaks for emergency vehicle use are also in the plans, Harvey said.

Although the barrier would cause a slight delay to emergency vehicles, "the added safety outweighs any inconvenience it might pose to our operations," CHP Lieutenant Todd Garr said.

In some instances, emergency vehicles may have to drive down the "wrong" side of the road, Garr said, adding that fire departments may have to use the jaws to cut the cables to access an accident.

"It's going to make the roadway safer," CHP officer Pete Roach said. "The end result is worth it."

The median grounds is already under improvement Harvey said, explaining that a leveled median would allow vehicles a better chance to correct their vehicle's heading before striking the barrier.