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What is a jersey barrier?

Jersey barriers are concrete highway barriers developed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Originally only 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 centimeters) high, they were designed to prevent left turns at certain intersections. Later, barriers were used as temporary traffic safeguards where construction required motorists to cross over into a lane normally used by oncoming traffic. These barriers were 32 inches (81 centimeters) high and made of reinforced concrete, usually poured at the site.

Jersey barriers now line thousands of miles of American highways as permanent fixtures. Today's barriers stand 54 inches (137 centimeters) tall, which is high enough to block out the glare of oncoming headlights.

Sources: AAA Motorist, Western Pennsylvania, vol. 41. (August 1994), p. 19; Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers, 3rd ed., pp. 16-95.

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