I-220 barrier to be finished by year’s end

The Clarion-Ledger, 1/24/8

Mississippi Department of Transportation officials expect to have a cable barrier installed on I-220 by the end of the year to keep motorists from crossing the median into oncoming traffic.

The $1 million federal safety project will use this type of barrier system for the first time in metro Jackson.

And though the tactic has received some criticism in other states, MDOT officials think cable barriers are the best choice for I-220, an interstate loop connecting I-55 in Ridgeland to I-20 in west Jackson.

“Over the last few years, as more testing has been performed, it has proven to be an excellent deterrent for median-crossover crashes,” State Traffic Engineer Wes Dean said.