A concrete Jersey barrier always has the same shape, but not always the same status. Some are MTQ-rated, others are not. The difference directly affects what you are allowed to install, and what you will pay. Here is how to choose the right one for your project.
What does "MTQ-rated" mean?
A rated barrier follows the standard drawings in Tome VIII of the Quebec Ministry of Transportation. It carries an identification plate and comes with batch conformity attestations, as required by the CCDG (the Ministry's general specifications). This is what lets the project owner check that every unit installed meets the standard.
When is a rated barrier mandatory?
As soon as your work zone is next to a road. That covers road and highway work, bridges, municipal work along streets, and any public or private contract that requires the MTQ standard. In these cases, a non-rated barrier is not accepted, whatever its condition.
When is a non-rated barrier enough?
On private property, the standard is not required. A non-rated barrier then does exactly the same physical job, for less:
- yards and warehouses, to mark truck and forklift lanes;
- parking lots and loading docks;
- quarries, sand pits and sorting centres;
- protecting a tank, a transformer or a storefront on your property.
It is the simplest way to lower the cost of a private project without giving up any safety.
New or used?
Used barriers come from completed projects. They are inspected and sorted by condition. Their surface may show signs of use, but their function is the same. Depending on the model, a used barrier can be MTQ-rated or not: tell us where it will be installed and we will suggest the right ones.
Connectors and impact attenuators
Barriers are linked with concrete keys or steel connectors, depending on the model. Along a road, a barrier run usually ends with an impact attenuator chosen for the posted speed: TL-1 (50 km/h), TL-2 (70 km/h) or TL-3 (100 km/h).
Buy or rent?
For a temporary site, renting is usually the best choice: we deliver, install, move the barriers at each phase and pick them up at the end. For a permanent installation, buying is the better deal. We can also buy your barriers back at the end of the project.
Choose in 4 questions
- Is the site next to a road? Yes: MTQ-rated barrier. No: a non-rated barrier is enough.
- Is the need temporary or permanent? Temporary: rent. Permanent: buy.
- Do looks matter? If not, used barriers lower the cost even more.
- Who installs? Our crew can deliver, place, move and pick up the barriers, day or night.
Not sure? Describe your project in a quote request: we will recommend the right model and usually get back to you within 24 hours. See also our MTQ-rated barriers, our used barriers and our installation service.
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