The Interstate 80 cable median barrier project in Pleasant Dale and Utica aimed to swiftly and safely clear temporary obstructions, thereby enhancing safety for incident responders by minimizing their exposure to passing traffic. Led by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, this $10 million project aimed to reduce the likelihood of secondary incidents and alleviate congestion levels. The 22-mile stretch of I-80 outside Nebraska’s second-largest city faced a high traffic volume of over 34,400 vehicles per day. Coupled with higher speeds along the corridor, this area experienced a significant number of cross-median crashes. Over five years, 140 vehicles entered the median and crashed; resulting in 70 injuries and five fatalities, despite a median width of 65 feet. The project not only sought to address these alarming statistics but also to improve access for area residents to employment and healthcare opportunities. The project yielded promising results: The number of cross-median crashes was reduced by 100%, and the number of serious injury crashes involving vehicles entering the median decreased by 36%.
America's Transportation Awards 