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                Safety Eligibility Letter B-109
  
  **Hardware Type:**
            Longitudinal Barriers and Bridge Rails
                          **Code:**
            B-109
                          **Date:**
            11/07/2002
                          **Testing Criteria:**
            NCHRP 350
                          **Manufacturer:**
            Interstate Timber Products Co.
                          **Device Description:**
            Plastic block for strong-post w-beam
                          **View PDF:**
            b109.pdf (71.75 KB)
    
    HSA10/B109

November 7, 2002
HSA10/B109
Daniel J. Mushett
  Interstate Timber Products Co.
  111 Garnet Lane
  Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Dear Mr. Mushett:
In your September 6 letter to Mr. Richard Powers of my staff you requested 
  acceptance of a recycled plastic offset block for use with strong post, metal 
  beam guardrail on the National Highway System (NHS).You stated that your block 
  is comprised of a 50/48 blend of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low Density 
  Polyethylene (LDPE) with 2 per cent blowing agent.Subsequent to discussions 
  with Mr. Powers, you modified the shape of your block and sent him a revised 
  drawing on October 22.This final design is shown in the Enclosure to this letter.
Based on staff recommendations and your product's similarity to several previously 
  accepted designs, I agree that your block may be considered equivalent to a 
  routed timber offset block and may be used with strong post w-beam guardrail 
  installations on the NHS.As with all recycled material offset blocks, this 
  acceptance is based on the anticipated crash performance of the w-beam barrier 
  when your block is used and is not intended to address its durability.It is 
  also based on the assumption that all production blocks will be of the same 
  materials and dimensions as noted herein.
Sincerely yours,
(original signed by Harry W. Taylor)
for:
Carol H. Jacoby, P.E.
  Director, Office of Safety Design
Enclosure U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

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