Michigan Has Over $250 Million in Orange Barrels, Who Owns Them?

They should become the official state mascot: Michigan's orange construction barrels. Though an accurate count is nearly impossible, it's estimated that there are well over 2.5 million in the state. Considering there are thousands of miles of construction, I imagine every single one is used during Michigan's construction season. According to the Detroit Free Press, Michigan only owns 10,000 of them, so what industry genius is generating revenue by renting orange barrels to MDOT?

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It's a brilliant business plan, providing a state constantly under construction with the supplies it needs to ensure the safety of those completing the work. Because of its sheer size, Michigan uses multiple orange barrel suppliers.

Why Michigan Rents, Rather Than Buying, Orange Construction Barrels

There are a total of seventeen contractors preapproved by the state to provide construction safety equipment in Michigan, including Give 'Em a Break Safety, one of the largest suppliers in the Mitten. With six locations in Michigan, including one in the Upper Peninsula, chances are you've seen one of their barrels lining a roadway.

Pay attention the next time you happen upon a Michigan construction zone being prepped or taken down, and notice that the vehicle placing or retrieving the materials isn't owned by the state.

A 2016 Detroit Free Press article listed the price of an orange barrel that is up to Michigan construction standards, ranging between $73 and $112. With over 2.5 million in the state, and adjusting for today's rates (listed between $70 and $130 per unit, averaging to $100 per unit), it's estimated that there are over $250 million worth of Michigan's unofficial state mascot.

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But where do all those barrels spend the construction off-season, and what other safety equipment is needed to protect roadside workers? Read on to find out.