A stiffening member for a protective housing assembly which defines a bore for receiving a utility line. The housing assembly includes a first body member, and a second body member arranged adjacent to one another to define immediately adjacent sections of the bore which surrounds the utility line. The stiffening member includes a first side for engagement with the first body member, and a second side for engagement with the second body member wherein pedestals extend from the first side of the stiffening member in a first direction away from the second side.