SAFENCE® Highway Cable Guardrail System
SAFENCE® is a high-tension cable barrier system designed to improve roadside safety on highways by absorbing crash energy and redirecting vehicles along the barrier to reduce the severity of impact. It consists of three or four high-tension wire rope cables plus posts, footers and end anchors and fittings.
SAFENCE® provides controlled impact protection when used on highways as a center highway safety barrier, side barrier, slope barrier or alternative to a highway guardrail.
What Is the SAFENCE® Cable Barrier System?
SAFENCE® is a "soft" safety barrier designed as an alternative highway guardrail system.
- As a longitudinal cable barrier system, SAFENCE® meets NCHRP 350 TL-3 and TL-4 crash-testing standards.
- It is available in 3 or 4-wire rope cable configurations with non-releasable anchors. This is a preferred system because the cables remain under tension after vehicle impact.
- SAFENCE® meets Test Level 4 (TL-4) requirements with just three cables. A fourth cable can be added without the need for added testing. This results in significant cost and time savings while still meeting test standards.
- Like all Gregory Highway guardrail products, SAFENCE® is made in the United States and meets applicable roadway safety specifications.
Let Gregory be your go-to safety cable barrier supplier today.
Benefits of SAFENCE® Highway Cable Barriers
- Increased safety: SAFENCE® is engineered to reduce impact severity by redirecting vehicles along the barrier and absorbing energy from the crash.
- Lower lifecycle cost: The SAFENCE® system reduces lifecycle costs because it meets TL-3 and TL-4 crash-testing standards using either three or four cables.
- Crash-tested and compliant: SAFENCE® is tested to meet NCHRP 350 Test Level 3 and Test Level 4 standards, supporting use on high-speed roadways and highways.
- Installation: Available in three- or four-cable configurations, the SAFENCE® system allows quick installation and simplified maintenance after impacts.
Cable Barrier vs. Guardrail vs. Concrete Barrier
High-tension cable barriers like SAFENCE® provide a flexible alternative to traditional W-Beam guardrail and rigid concrete barriers. Cable barriers are ideal for containment on highway medians or along embankments. In some roadside applications, W-Beam with end treatments (like the MSKT terminal) are specified over cable barriers.
| Barrier type | Strength | Energy absorption | Location/use |
| Cable barrier | Flexible | High | Slopes and medians |
| Guardrail | Moderate | Moderate | Roadsides, hazards |
| Concrete barrier | Rigid | Low | Bridges, urban highways |
Learn about SAFENCE® components
For detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and installation manuals for SAFENCE® systems, visit our Highway Resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a high-tension cable barrier system?
A high-tension cable barrier system uses wire ropes under tension, mounted on posts to absorb crash energy and redirect vehicles after collision.
Where are cable barrier systems used on highways?
Cable barrier systems are ideal for slopes and other terrain requiring additional flexibility compared to traditional W-Beam guardrail.
What test level does the SAFENCE® cable barrier meet?
SAFENCE® meets Test Level 3 and Test Level 4 of the NCHRP Report 350, suitable for use on high-speed roads.
How do cable barriers compare to guardrail?
Cable barriers provide a more flexible alternative to guardrail with higher energy absorption. Guardrail systems provide stronger protection near roadside hazards.
PARTNER WITH GREGORY HIGHWAY
When you need complete solutions that are strong, long-lasting, and easy to install, you need to partner with Gregory Highway. As the national leader in highway guardrails and roadside safety, you can rely on us for quick turnarounds, competitive pricing, and responsive service. And we’re proud to say our steel guardrail and highway products are manufactured in the heart of the U.S. Contact us today to get started on your next highway safety project.