Minnesota State Patrol Shares Cable Barrier Lifesaving Abilities
The Minnesota State Patrol took to social media to share some photos of a crash that could have been deadly if it weren't for the cable barriers.
Cable barriers on west Interstate 94 stopped a semi-truck from crossing the ditch and going into oncoming traffic and the State Patrol says it surely prevented a crash that easily could have ended in death.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, cable barriers started being installed on Minnesota roads in 2004 and have saved more than 100 lives throughout the state. The barriers are 95% effective in reducing fatal crashes.
The cable barriers are much less expensive than concrete barriers and can be easily replaced after an accident. The barriers are made up of three to four cables strung on posts that absorb the kinetic energy of a vehicle that crashed into them.
Cable barriers also provide an extra layer of protection for motorcycles, preventing vehicles from crossing the median and hitting an oncoming motorcycle.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation did a study and found that in areas where the cable barriers are installed it prevented nearly all fatal and serious injury cross median crashes.
As of 2018 over 705 miles of cable barriers are in place around the state, with over 43 miles of the live-saving barrier in the Duluth area.
On average a concrete median barrier can cost $500,000 or more per mile and the cable barrier costing about $150,000 per mile. Maintenance costs are also much more cost-effective with annual costs for concrete barriers over $5000 per mile, cable barriers cost about $3600 per mile.
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