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As part of a statewide plan to increase safety during traffic emergencies, onramp gates are popping up on roadways across Northeastern Wisconsin. The white and orange striped gates — similar to those at railroad crossings — are manually operated and light up when lowered. The gates block ramps during traffic crashes or hazardous weather conditions. "It prevents motorists from entering the highway into a more dangerous situation," Rudat said.
Before gates were installed in recent years, officers would close offramps with a squad car, use barricades or direct traffic themselves, Rudat said. Now those officers will be free to respond to the emergency.
Originally posted by airspoon
Although I do find it a little suspicious, those gates don't look like they would really hold determined people in/out. They do look like they could be used for the stated purposes of replacing officers who would otherwise have to stand out there.
"It's a simple, quick and efficient way for the highway department or law enforcement to close the highway," said Kim Rudat, regional spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Each gate costs about $14,000, and the department plans to install 69 gates on major roadways across Northeastern Wisconsin. So far, nearly half are set up, and all should be completed within two years, Rudat said.
Originally posted by TrueAmerican
Now why are my spidey senses tingling on that crazy price tag... 14k for a MANUAL gate? Hmm, maybe some research into the company awarded the contract might be in order.