Florida’s Department of Transportation and the Florida turnpike authority are working to increase safety for drivers of the Florida Turnpike by installing new, enhanced cable safety barriers. These new cable barriers are designed to withstand more intensive crashes of vehicles traveling at higher rates of speed.

Believe it or not, among the most common vehicle collisions on highways are those which are caused when one vehicle crosses the median colliding with oncoming cars. Even a simple barrier is often enough to prevent a vehicle from crossing over, but in some cases more serious barriers are needed. And of course, the stronger the barrier the better it can protect vehicles on both sides of the highway from colliding.

Florida roadways are among the most congested in the country, especially in central and south Florida, where annual tourist visits cause severe spikes in traffic congestion, with many drivers being strangers to the area unfamiliar with roadways and the possible hazards or detours they might face while they search for an amusement park, hotel or the beach.

The work is taking place on both the northbound and southbound sides of Florida’s Turnpike between mile marker 234 and the Yeehaw Junction exit. The installation of the piling is critical to the strength of the guard rail assembly. The concrete piles are driven flush with the ground some being embedded 25 feet and some pile as little as 15 feet into the ground. Vehicles that veer off of the highway in these areas will be protected from entering wetlands and forests along Florida’s Turnpike. The work of driving the pile requires special equipment including a crane, diesel pile driving hammer, leads and a heavy steel template.