DOTD completes cable barrier project on I-10 in Jefferson, St. John, Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes
Friday, September 14, 2012 at 2:53:26 PM

KENNER, La. – Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, P.E., along with federal, state and local safety partners, celebrated the completion of a safety project to install 22.5 miles of cable barrier on I-10 between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The announcement was made today at Louisiana State Police Troop B in Kenner.

Cable barriers are designed to prevent head-on collisions by deflecting vehicles that veer into the median from crossing over into oncoming traffic. They act as a net to catch vehicles and redirect them into the median, not pushing the vehicle back into traffic.

The cable barrier system is a testament to DOTD’s commitment to safety. Since DOTD installed the first set of cable barriers in Louisiana in 2008, there have been no incidents of vehicles crossing the median. According to the Federal Highway Administration, most states that have installed cable median barriers report a decrease in cross-median crash fatalities of 90 percent or more.

"Through strong partnerships with our safety stakeholders, Louisiana continues to make reductions in the number of motor vehicle fatalities," said LeBas. "Cable barriers save lives, and it is my commitment to continue to implement innovative and cost effective solutions to enhance the safety of our transportation system."

In the past several years, motor-vehicle fatalities in Louisiana have dropped to an all time low with a 32 percent reduction in highway fatalities since 2007. DOTD has spearheaded multiple initiatives such as the installation of over 2,100 miles of center line rumble strips and roundabouts as well as working with other safety stakeholders on public awareness campaigns to discourage texting while driving and encourage motorists to buckle up.

Work on the $2.7 million cable barrier project began in October 2011 with installation first beginning in Jefferson Parish and moving west toward Baton Rouge.

In addition, the audience took a moment to remember the late Grace Gary. In 2008, Grace lost her life in a cross-over incident at the age of eight. Since, the Gary Family has been a strong advocate in support of cable barriers in an effort to prevent their tragedy from happening to other families. They have personally named their efforts "Project G-R-A-C-E," which stands for "Guard Rails Alleviate Crossover Episodes."

Also, joining LeBas at the press conference were members of the Destination Zero Deaths initiative, which included Colonel Mike Edmonson, Superintendent of Louisiana State Police and Mary Stringfellow, Program Delivery Team Leader of the Federal Highway Administration. Destination Zero Deaths, also known as Louisiana’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, is a unified effort to reduce the number of highway fatalities in Louisiana.

"Law enforcement officers see first-hand the devastating results of crossover crashes. These cable barriers are a lifesaver, successfully preventing head-on collisions as we work towards our goal of zero deaths on Louisiana’s roadways," said Edmonson. "I appreciate the partnership we share with Secretary LeBas and DOTD. It is what the public expects and it is what they deserve."

"We applaud DOTD’s dedication to keeping Louisiana’s roads safe for motorists," said Stringfellow. "Based on the performance of cable barriers installed to date, the 20-plus miles of cable barriers will continue to effectively decrease cross-median fatalities in our state."

"Cable median barriers are the additional safety that Louisiana needs," said Lt. Col. John Leblanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. "We appreciate the work that DOTD has put into this project."

New Orleans motorist, Andrew Auguillard – a graduate student at the University of New Orleans, supports the use of the cable barrier system from first-hand knowledge.

"In May, I lost control of my car as I was driving on I-10 when a dump truck spilled gravel on the roadway," said Auguillard. "I hit the cable barriers and they just wrapped my car up. Wow, they really saved my life."

The need for a cable barrier system arose from the 2006 legislative session when a resolution was passed to look into the feasibility of installing these safety features. As part of a pilot study, the first two areas to receive cable barriers were along the entire length of I-12 in St. Tammany Parish (32 miles) and along the entire length of I-10 in St. James Parish (6.8 miles). Later, cable barriers were installed on I-12 throughout the length of Tangipahoa Parish (17 miles) and on I-10 from the St. John Parish line to the Hope Canal (19.5 miles).

DOTD continues to perform analyses on all interstates throughout Louisiana to determine where cable median barriers would be most beneficial in preventing cross-over collisions. Cable barriers receive safety funds through the Federal Highway Administration.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).