DelDOT Section 722: High-Tension Cable Barrier

722.1Description.

This work consists of constructing high-tension cable barrier (HTCB).

722.2Materials.

A.Provide a HTCB with the following capabilities and features:

1.Crashworthy on level terrain in accordance with the latest MASH testing requirements for a Test

Level 4 (TL-4) installation.

2.Crashworthy on a 4:1 sloped terrain in accordance with the latest MASH testing requirements

for a Test Level 3 (TL-3) installation.

3.Compatible with a crashworthy cable end terminal in accordance with the latest MASH testing

requirements for a Test Level 3 (TL-3) installation.

4.Galvanized steel posts Section 1070

a.Rust inhibitor coating meeting the requirements of Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating, (ROC-149)

or equal. Two coats of inhibitor from the below-ground end to 6-inch above the final ground elevation.

B.Provide HTCB end terminals that are crashworthy in accordance with the latest MASH testing

requirements for a Test level 3 (TL-3) installation.

1.Galvanized steel posts Section 1070

a.Rust inhibitor coating meeting the requirements of Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating, (ROC-149)

or equal. Two coats of inhibitor from the below-ground end to 6-inch above the final ground elevation.

722.3Construction.

722.3.1 Submittals.

A.Submit the following to the engineer before starting construction:

1.FHWA eligibility letters for the proposed HTCB system and end terminals.

2.Buy America certification for steel used on the Project.

3.Installation manual and HTCB system shop drawings.

4.Design details, calculations, dimensions, and specifications for line post concrete footings and

concrete end-terminal anchors. Base the design of line post concrete footings and concrete end- terminal anchors on the specific project location, requirements as shown on the contract, what is specified here, and on Department supplied soil boring information.

5.Rust inhibitor specifications.

722.3.2 Training.

A.Provide on-site field instruction by the system manufacturer, at a location determined by the

engineer. Provide a minimum of 2 training sessions consisting of installation training before beginning cable barrier construction and maintenance training before primary inspection. The

manufacturer shall establish the training duration and shall provide field training on all aspects of the system. Coordinate the training schedule and location with the engineer. The engineer will advise the appropriate department staff, including construction inspectors and maintenance personnel regarding the training location and schedule. Provide all training materials in both hard copy and electronic PDF format.

B.Installation Training.

1.Hold the installation training before beginning HTCB construction. Submit the proposed training

date to the engineer a minimum of 14 calendar days before the session date for review and approval. At a minimum, the training shall include the following participants:

a.The prime contractor’s field superintendent, or designated representative.

b.HTCB sub-contractor’s field supervisor, or designated representative.

c.The engineer’s designated representatives including the project’s construction inspectors.

2.The engineer will have final approval of participants. Provide every participant with a complete

set of training handouts, the manufacturer’s installation manual, and the manufacturer’s plans for the approved system. Cover all aspects of the system installation, including the following subjects:

a.Description and function of all system components.

b.Manufacturer’s instructions and specifications for:

i.End anchor and post foundation installation, including foundation sizes, steel reinforcement,

concrete design strength, curing time, concrete testing, and locations; ii. line post installation; iii. end terminal assembly installation; and iv. wire rope installation and tensioning.

c.Sequence of construction operations.

d.Discussion of critical tasks.

e.Installation inspection.

C.Maintenance Training.

1.Hold the maintenance training a minimum of 7 calendar days before primary inspection of the

system. Submit the proposed training date to the engineer a minimum of 14 calendar days prior to the training session date for review and approval. Include the following participants:

a.District Maintenance Engineer, or designated representative;

b.District Maintenance Superintendent, or designated representative;

c.Area Yard Supervisor, or designated representative; and

d.District maintenance personnel.

2.The engineer will have final approval of participants. Provide every participant with a complete

set of training handouts, the manufacturer’s maintenance manual, and the manufacturer’s plans for the approved system. The training course and accompanying course material shall cover, at a minimum, the following subjects:

a.A description of the system components.

b.A discussion of critical features.

c.Cable barrier and terminal assembly inspection.

d.Cable barrier component replacement.

e.Terminal assembly replacement.

f.Cable tension monitoring and re-tensioning.

g.End anchor reattachment.

h.Freeing captured vehicles.

i.Field cable splicing.

722.3.3 Construction.

A.Provide construction stake-out for the line posts and end terminals. Notify the engineer of any

potential conflicts with underground utilities or drainage before construction. The engineer may require the contractor to excavate test pits to determine the exact location and depth of any existing utility that may conflict with the proposed alignment of the high-tension cable barrier system.

B.Complete all clearing, grubbing, and final grading before installing each section of cable barrier

post foundations, terminals, transitions, or anchor systems. Excavate and grade as necessary for the HTCB maintenance strip in accordance with the contract. Pave the maintenance strip before excavating and drilling post foundations.

C.Excavate and install cast-in-place, reinforced concrete foundations for line posts and end terminal

foundations in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and approved foundation shop drawings. Place foundation reinforcing steel as required in the approved shop drawings. Place the concrete and install sockets, keeping the top of the foundation flush with the final grade. Place line posts and fitting gaskets. Space the posts, in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. Set posts plumb and in a straight line.

1.Refresh any damaged rust inhibiter coatings so no metal is exposed, to the satisfaction of the

engineer.

D.Install the HTCB system cables in accordance with the manufacturer’s details and specifications.

Position rigging screws to avoid interference with posts or other rigging screws unless recommended by the manufacturer.

E.Tension cables in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Use certified, calibrated

testing equipment specified by the manufacturer at the beginning of the installation and throughout the project. The Department will only accept results from 1 model of tension testing device. Provide a certificate to the engineer showing that the tensioning instrument was calibrated no more than 30 calendar days before its first use on the project.

F.Provide a certified tester to perform system tension tests. Provide a letter from the manufacturer

certifying that the tester is trained in the use of the testing equipment.

G.Retest the cable tension in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications 14 calendar days to

calendar days after the first test. Re-tension the cable when the test reading is less than the

manufacturer’s recommendations for the given temperature. Re-tension the cables to the manufacturer’s specifications by successively reading tension measurements at every rigging screw or turnbuckle. Repeat the testing and re-tension the cable in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications until the manufacturer certifies the full cable system.

H.Keep a tension log showing:

1.The project name;

2.date;

3.time;

4.location;

5.weather conditions;

6.ambient temperature;

7.cable temperature;

8.tension measurement location;

9.actual tension reading;

10.tension reading after adjustment; and

11.applicable notes and the signature of the person conducting the test.

I.Provide a copy of the tension log to the engineer. Provide a letter from the manufacturer

certifying that the contractor tensioned the cable in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and that the cable tension complies with the manufacturer’s requirements.

J.Delineate the HTCB system with retroreflective sheeting. Beginning with the first vertical line post

in each direction of a cable barrier segment, delineate posts at intervals no greater than 50-feet on tangents and curves with a radius of 3,500-feet or greater and 30-feet on curves having a radius less than 3,500-feet. Delineate all end terminal posts in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Ensure that delineation is visible from both directions of traffic unless otherwise shown on the plans. Use delineation consisting of yellow retroreflective sheeting meeting the requirements of ASTM D4956 Type IX material. The minimum area of sheeting required is 8 square inches. Attach the sheeting near the top of the post as recommended by the manufacturer. On posts with flat surfaces facing approaching traffic, the contractor may apply retroreflective sheeting directly to the post. On posts without flat surfaces facing approaching traffic, the contractor may apply the sheeting to the post cap.

K.Notify the engineer immediately if the traveling public damages the cable barrier during

construction or prior to final acceptance of the Project. Mark the affected area as directed by the engineer within 8-hours of the damage. If only line posts incurred damage, replace the posts and re-install the cable to the posts within 48-hours of contractor notification. If an end terminal is struck and the cables disengaged, repair, re-tension, and test the system within 24-hours of contractor notification. After each hit, re-tension the system in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, if required.

L.Within 10 calendar days of the Initial inspection, supply spare parts for the HTCB system. Deliver

the parts to the DelDOT maintenance facility as directed by the engineer. Provide an extra supply of the following:

1.Socketed-type line posts, including post hardware, caps, reflective sheeting, straps, spacers, and

socket covers. Include 200 posts and accessories, or a number of posts and accessories equal to 10-percent of the total number of posts and accessories installed, whichever is more.

2.Rigging screws and threaded terminals. Provide enough materials to complete 8 turnbuckle

assemblies, or an amount of materials sufficient to complete a number of turnbuckle assembles equal to 10-percent of the total number of turnbuckle assemblies installed, whichever is more.

3.Anchor posts including post hardware and caps, reflective sheeting, straps, fittings, spacers, and

socket covers. Provide enough materials to complete 3 end anchor installations, or an amount of materials sufficient to complete a number of end anchor installations equal to 10-percent of the total number of end anchors installed, whichever is more.

4.Fitting gaskets or socket covers. Provide 100 socket covers, or an amount of socket covers equal

to 10-percent of the total number of socket covers installed, whichever is more.

M.Provide a tension meter kit and repair tool rope spreader. Provide 1 new, calibrated tension meter

that bears a serial number and has a current Certificate of Calibration from a National Institute of Standards and Testing accredited laboratory.

722.4Method of Measurement.

The Department will measure the quantity of high-tension cable barrier as the number of linear feet constructed, tested, and accepted. The Department will measure the length from the first line post adjacent to each end terminal for the run of cable barrier. The Department will not include posts associated with the end terminal, as identified in the manufacturer’s shop drawings, in the linear foot quantity. The Department will measure the quantity of end terminals as the actual number of each end terminal constructed, tested and accepted.

722.5Basis of Payment.

A.The Department will pay the quantity of high-tension cable barrier at the contract unit price per

linear foot. Price and payment will constitute full compensation for:

1.Training;

2.excavation;

3.concrete and steel reinforcement;

4.backfill and backfilling;

5.providing and placing materials and components;

6.wire rope;

7.reflective sheeting;

8.testing and re-tensioning;

9.tension meter kit;

10.repair tool rope spreader; and

11.spare parts.

B.The Department will pay the quantity of end terminals at the contract unit price per each. Price

and payment will constitute full compensation for:

1.Training;

2.excavation;

3.concrete and steel reinforcement;

4.backfill and backfilling;

5.providing and placing materials and components;

6.end terminals; and

7.spare end terminal posts and accessories.

ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT 722001 HIGH TENSION CABLE BARRIER LF 722002 HIGH TENSION CABLE BARRIER END TERMINAL EA

HIGH-TENSION CABLE BARRIER in other states

Oklahoma 628 · High-Tension Cable Barrier

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Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 406–0 of 786. View official source ↗

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721 GUARDRAIL END SECTIONS AND TRANSITIONS

723 CONCRETE BARRIER

722HIGH-TENSION CABLE BARRIER

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