Caltrans is proactively replacing approximately 800 X-Lite guardrail end terminals on the state highway system based on the terminals not meeting field performance expectations. These end terminals account for less than three percent of currently installed guardrail end treatments on the state highway system.

“Safety is Caltrans’ top priority,” said Jesse Bhullar, Caltrans’ Division Chief of Traffic Operations. “We regularly monitor our state highway system to improve safety for the traveling public.”

Caltrans adopted the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) safety guidelines published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The department is taking this proactive step to remove the end terminals, even though Federal Highway Regulations do not require their replacement.

Each of Caltrans’ 12 districts will replace the X-Lite end terminals with one of the three Caltrans approved MASH compliant end terminals. After these contracts are awarded, contractors will begin replacing these X-Lite devices. The estimated cost for this statewide effort is $20 million. The department is striving to complete this work within the next year with the schedule depending on factors such as availability of contractors and supply of approved replacement devices.