Water-Filled Barriers for Traffic Control and Work Zones
Water barriers, also known as plastic jersey barriers, provide temporary vehicle and pedestrian separation for road construction, utility work, parking facilities, and other controlled traffic environments.
Filled on-site for added stability and shipped empty for easier transportation, they offer a practical alternative to concrete barriers while remaining easy to deploy, relocate, and store.
SONCO carries water-filled barriers certified to multiple MASH Test Levels, helping contractors specify the right product for virtually any project requirement.
Compare Water Barrier Product Families
Different water barrier manufacturers are designed for different applications. Compare the product families below to find the best fit for your project.
Designed for low-speed roads and work zones with operating speeds up to approximately 50 mph.
Covers a wide range of roadwork applications with models certified for both low and higher-speed roadways.
Designed for higher-speed roadways. Provides greater impact performance depending on the selected model.
Designed for high-speed highways. Recommended where project specifications require the highest barrier performance.
Suitable for
Local roads
Urban streets
Parking facilities
Utility work
Local roads
Urban streets
Major road construction
Municipal construction
State highways
Lane closures
DOT contracts
Long-duration roadway work
Interstate highways
Major transportation projects
Roadway work
Infrastructure projects
Certifications
TL-1
TL-1 and Tl-2
TL-2 and TL-3
TL-3
What to Compare When Choosing a Water Barrier
Choosing the right water barrier starts with understanding your project's requirements. For roadway and infrastructure projects, the required MASH Test Level (TL-1, TL-2, or TL-3) is typically specified in the contract documents and determines the minimum crash performance your barrier must meet.
Once you've identified the required certification, compare the following specifications:
Barrier dimensions
Empty weight
Water capacity
Filled weight
Interlocking design
Available colors
Compatibility with fence toppers
Freight efficiency
Selecting the right barrier means balancing project specifications with handling requirements and overall project costs.
Common Applications for Water-Filled Barriers
Water-filled barriers are shipped empty to reduce freight costs and simplify handling. Once on-site, they are filled with water to provide the required ballast. After the project is complete, they can be drained, transported, and reused for future jobs, making them a cost-effective long-term solution.
Road Construction
Separate live traffic from active work areas while meeting roadway specifications.
Highway Maintenance
Separate live traffic from active work areas while meeting roadway specifications.
Utility Projects
Protect excavation sites and organize temporary traffic around active utility work.
Events and Restricted Areas
Create temporary vehicle barriers around festivals, service roads, pedestrian zones, and loading areas.
Accessories for Water-Filled Barriers
Expand the functionality of your water barriers with accessories designed to improve traffic control, perimeter security, and site access.
Fence toppers — Add temporary fence panels above the barriers to create secure perimeters.
Connection pins — Lock adjacent barriers together for continuous traffic control runs.
Gates — Create controlled access points for vehicles and pedestrians.
Barrier lights — Improve nighttime visibility and increase driver awareness.
Water Barricades FAQs
1. What MASH Test Level water barrier do I need?
A: The required Test Level is typically specified in the project plans or contract documents. SONCO offers barriers certified to TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 requirements.
2. What's the difference between TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 barriers?
A: Each Test Level represents a different level of crash testing. Higher Test Levels are intended for higher-speed roadways and more demanding traffic control applications.
3. Can water-filled barriers be shipped empty?
A: Yes. Many water-filled barriers can be fitted with fence topper systems to create secure temporary perimeters. However, once a fence topper is installed, the barrier should no longer be used as a traffic channelizing device. Fence toppers are intended for perimeter security applications, not active roadway traffic control.
4. Can water-filled barriers support temporary fencing?
A: Yes. Many water-filled barriers can be fitted with fence topper systems to create secure temporary perimeters. However, once a fence topper is installed, the barrier should no longer be used as a traffic channelizing device. Fence toppers are intended for perimeter security applications, not active roadway traffic control.
5. Are water barriers reusable?
A: Yes. They are designed for repeated deployment. After the project is complete, simply drain the water and transport the barriers to the next jobsite.
6. How do I choose the right water-filled barrier?
A: Start with the required MASH Test Level, then compare dimensions, water capacity, handling requirements, and any project-specific specifications. If you're unsure which model meets your contract requirements, SONCO can help identify the appropriate solution.
7. Are plastic jersey barriers used only for road construction projects?
A: No. While commonly associated with roadwork, water barricades are also used at events, venues, industrial sites, and operational facilities where temporary traffic organization or controlled access is needed.
