Guard rail post

A guard rail post adapted to support a guard rail along a highway comprising:

• an L-shaped body having a vertical leg with upper and lower ends and a horizontal leg with a first end connected to said upper end of said vertical leg and a second end;
• said body being formed of plastic and having a first elongated reinforcing member and a second elongated reinforcing member embedded in said plastic, said plastic comprising recycled plastic including 35% to 65% high density polyethylene and 35% to 60% low density polyethylene molded around said first and second reinforcing members at a mold pressure of from approximately 100 to 600 p.s.i. and at a mold temperature of approximately 350.degree. F. to 600.degree. F.;
• said first reinforcing member comprising a steel pipe which is from 23/8 to 27/8 inches in diameter, said steel pipe extending vertically within said vertical leg and having a plurality of lugs spaced along its length and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom;
• said second reinforcing member extending horizontally within said horizontal leg;
• said first and second reinforcing members being rigidly attached to one another;
• said second reinforcing member having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends being hollow and being exposed to the exterior of said horizontal leg adjacent said second end thereof for receiving securing means to secure said guard rail to said second end of said body;
• said body remaining free from fracture when said vertical leg is 60 to 72 inches long and has said lower end embedded in the ground to a depth of 32 to 42 inches, and when subjected to an impact fracture energy of up to 5.5 foot-kips at an impact point 21 inches above the ground.