Guardrail Vegetation Clearing

What This Service Involves

Vegetation that grows through and behind guardrail traps moisture, accelerates post and rail corrosion, and hides deficiencies from inspectors. Our crews use specialized behind-rail mowers and hand tools to clear this hard-to-reach zone without damaging the barrier hardware. Across Western Washington's damp corridors, controlling this growth extends guardrail service life and keeps the deflection zone free of woody obstructions that compromise crash performance. We report any bent posts, loose hardware, or end-treatment issues observed during clearing.

Benefits

Extends guardrail life by keeping post and rail zones dry; preserves the barrier deflection zone for proper crash performance; enables clear visual inspection of hardware and end treatments; reaches confined behind-rail areas with purpose-built equipment; surfaces damaged components for timely repair

Our Process

1) Identify guardrail runs and note hardware and terminal locations; 2) Deploy traffic control appropriate to the roadway; 3) Clear vegetation through, behind, and beneath the rail using behind-rail equipment and hand tools; 4) Document hardware defects and record cleared linear footage

What Affects the Cost

Linear feet of guardrail and number of terminals; density of woody growth entangled in the rail; roadway speed and volume affecting traffic control; steepness of embankment behind the barrier; frequency of clearing cycles specified

Best Time of Year

Behind-rail clearing is scheduled through the growing season and paired with a fall pass so guardrail is inspectable and unobstructed before winter storm response.