42x72 Orange Water Filled Traffic Barrier [Price for 4]
The 42x72 orange water filled traffic barrier is built for construction work zones, parking lot perimeters, and event crowd control where durable, high-visibility lane separation is required. This barrier ships empty and lightweight, then fills with water on-site to reach working weight. The interlocking end-cap connector system allows multiple units to link together into continuous runs of any required length. Orange high-visibility color meets standard work zone visibility requirements for road and highway applications.
Product Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
- Height: 42 inches / 1,076 mm
- Length: 72 inches / 1,829 mm
- Width: 24 inches / 610 mm
- Wall Thickness: 0.25 inches / 6.35 mm (average)
- Empty Weight: 100 lbs
- Filled Weight (Water): 834 lbs (100 gallons)
- Filled Weight (Sand): 1,250 lbs
- Material: UV-Resistant Recyclable Polyethylene
- Color: Orange
Fill Capacity and Connection
- Water Capacity: 100 gallons
- Fill Method: Top-fill port with secure cap
- Connection Type: Interlocking end-cap connector system
- Units Per Run: No limit -- chain as many units as required
- Sand Compatible: Yes
- Flashing Light Compatible: Yes
Compliance and Certifications
AASHTO MASH TL-2 certified. Tested and approved by the US Department of Transportation as a Test Level 2 Longitudinal Channelizing Device. Meets requirements for work zone lane separation and roadway channelization applications.
What Is a Water Filled Traffic Barrier?
A water filled traffic barrier is a hollow plastic barricade designed to be filled with water or sand on-site to create a stable, weighted divider for traffic control and perimeter management. Unlike precast concrete jersey barriers, which require cranes or heavy lifting equipment to place and relocate, water filled barriers ship and transport empty -- reducing freight costs and eliminating the need for specialized equipment at the job site.
This 42x72 model weighs just 100 lbs empty, meaning a one-to-two person crew can position the entire run before a single drop of water is added. Once filled with 100 gallons of water, the barrier reaches 834 lbs of working mass, providing substantial impact resistance appropriate for highway and roadway work zone use. Sand fill brings the barrier to 1,250 lbs for applications requiring maximum stability.
The jersey-profile shape -- wider at the base, narrower at the top -- provides a low center of gravity that resists tipping even when struck by slow-moving vehicles. Barriers connect end-to-end using an integrated connector pin system, allowing site managers and contractors to build continuous delineation runs without additional hardware.
Where to Use the 42x72 Water Filled Barrier
Highway and Road Work Zones
AASHTO MASH TL-2 certification makes this barrier appropriate for highway and roadway construction sites where DOT-approved channelizing devices are required. Use linked runs to separate active traffic lanes from construction areas, protect workers from traffic intrusion, and guide vehicles through temporary lane shifts. Each barrier is designed to accept a flashing light, adding an active visibility element for nighttime and low-visibility conditions without requiring a separate mounting solution.
Parking Lots and Access Control
Water filled barriers are a cost-effective, relocatable alternative to concrete for temporary parking lot reconfiguration, entrance and exit channeling, and reserved area delineation. At 100 lbs empty, a two-person crew can set an entire lot configuration without equipment. Fill on-site in minutes and empty to relocate when the layout changes.
Construction Site Perimeters
Use 42x72 water barriers to establish pedestrian exclusion zones around active construction areas -- or see our 36x72 Water Filled Traffic Barrier with Fence System for applications requiring integrated pedestrian separation. The interlocking system makes it practical to close off a full perimeter using a single product type, and the UV-resistant polyethylene construction holds up to continuous outdoor exposure without chipping, fading, or crumbling.
Events and Crowd Management
For events where vehicle intrusion is a safety concern -- festivals, outdoor venues, marathons, and public gatherings -- water filled barriers provide a robust physical deterrent with no permanent installation required. Units deploy and break down quickly, store compactly when empty, and the orange high-visibility color provides clear visual delineation for both pedestrians and drivers.
How to Fill and Connect These Barriers
- Step 1: Position each barrier in its final location before filling. At 100 lbs empty, units can be moved and placed by one to two people without mechanical equipment or a forklift.
- Step 2: Open the top-fill port. Use a standard garden hose, water truck connection, or pump to fill each unit. Each barrier holds 100 gallons of water, reaching a working mass of 834 lbs when full.
- Step 3: Secure the fill port cap tightly after filling to prevent spillage or contamination.
- Step 4: Connect adjacent units using the integrated end-cap connector pin system. Units link end-to-end and can be angled to navigate corners and non-linear perimeter configurations. No additional hardware is required.
- Step 5: If adding a flashing light, insert it into the barrier's designed light-mount point on top of the unit for active nighttime visibility.
- Step 6: For sand fill -- use a funnel or scoop to pack sand through the fill port. Sand-filled units reach 1,250 lbs and are best suited for long-term or high-impact applications. Sand-filled units are more difficult to empty and relocate than water-filled units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 42x72 water barrier weigh when filled?
When filled with 100 gallons of water, the 42x72 barrier weighs 834 lbs. When empty, it weighs 100 lbs, making it practical for one-to-two person positioning and deployment before filling. When filled with sand instead of water, the barrier reaches 1,250 lbs for maximum stability in high-impact or long-term applications.
Can these barriers be filled with sand instead of water?
Yes. Sand is fully compatible and brings the barrier to 1,250 lbs -- approximately 416 lbs heavier than a water-filled unit. Sand fill is best suited for permanent or semi-permanent installations where the barrier will not need to be relocated. Sand-filled units require more effort to empty and move compared to water-filled units.
Do these barriers link together?
Yes. Each barrier includes an integrated end-cap connector pin system that allows units to link end-to-end with no additional hardware. There is no limit to the number of units in a single connected run. Units can also be angled at connection points to navigate corners, curves, and non-linear perimeter layouts.
Are these barriers DOT certified?
Yes. This barrier carries AASHTO MASH TL-2 certification and has been tested and approved by the US Department of Transportation as a Test Level 2 Longitudinal Channelizing Device, making it suitable for use in highway and roadway work zones where DOT-approved equipment is required.
Can these barriers hold a flashing light?
Yes. Each barrier is designed with a built-in mounting point to accept a flashing light, making it practical for nighttime work zones and low-visibility conditions without requiring a separate light stand or mounting hardware.
Will the barrier crack, fade, or corrode over time?
No. This barrier is manufactured from UV-resistant recyclable polyethylene, which resists chipping, fading, and crumbling under prolonged outdoor exposure. The material will not spark if struck by a metal object, which is an important safety consideration in work zones involving metal equipment and vehicles.
How many barriers do I need?
Divide the total linear feet of your run by 6 -- each 72-inch barrier covers 6 linear feet. A 100-foot run requires approximately 17 units. A 300-foot perimeter requires approximately 50 units. Contact us for quantity pricing on larger orders.
