Drop-down Guards At Exits On Route 16 West Across Georgia

[fad847]

On a recent trip across Georgia on route 16 west, I noticed that the exit ramps and on-ramps had drop-down guards, like at a railroad crossing. But I only noticed them going from west to east.

Can anyone tell me why they were there? I'm just curious about why they were there and when they would use them. It's like when they close the arms, no one can get off the highway.

[Casad3215]

The arms are for evacuation of the coastal areas when a hurricane is eminent. All of the lanes are used for West bound traffic to evacuate the coastal areas.