Interstate Gates Meant to Keep Highways Safe in Emergencies

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Updated: 5:40 PM Sep 9, 2010 Interstate Gates Meant to Keep Highways Safe in Emergencies The gates look like those over railroad crossings, and only go down in times of emergency. Posted: 5:33 PM Sep 9, 2010 Reporter: Liz Hayes Email Address: lhayes@wsaw.com

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The Wisconsin State Patrol hopes gates installed onto interstate on-ramps will save time and money in emergencies.

The gates look like those over railroad crossings, and only go down in times of emergency.

If there's an accident or spill, law enforcement manually lower the gates to prevent cars from getting onto the freeway.

Authorities call it a safety measure.

"Now we can put a gate down or barricade up to prevent the traffic from becoming more congested and becoming more of a problem and ultimately getting everything cleared quicker," said Sgt. Rob Hartson, of the WI State Patrol.

Sgt. Hartson says two such gates are located off of Highways 153 and 34, onto Interstate 39 in Mosinee.

And though there aren't many in Central Wisconsin, the gates are popular in more populated areas throughout the country.

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