A cable barrier similar to one installed on Interstate 985 several years ago will be placed in the median on Ga. 400 in Dawson and Lumpkin counties.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the 5.1-mile project as part of $97 million in 10 new transportation infrastructure improvement and maintenance projects across the state.

The cable barrier project, which will begin at the Forsyth County line and end south of Chesterra Drive, will cost $665,452. The completion date for the work is April 30.

The series of steel cables are designed to prevent cars from traveling across the median and hitting a vehicle going in the opposite direction.

In 2008, the DOT began installing cable barriers on a 22.3-mile stretch of I-985, starting from where it splits off from Interstate 85 near Buford.

"Cable barrier on I-985 and on Ga. 400 south of (the project location) is working very well," said Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the DOT's Gainesville office.

"The cable barrier is tensioned and, as it is struck, the cable expands and accepts the energy of the vehicle, stopping it in the grass before it strikes traffic headed in the other direction."