Project Library
Traffic Noise Resources
Noise Wall Construction, Color, and Texture Meeting (Southern Section)
On Thursday, April 23, 2009, a noise wall construction, color, and texture meeting for the southern section of the project area was held at St. Helena Catholic School in Blue Bell, Pa. The purpose of this meeting was to give the owners of property adjacent to proposed noise walls in the southern section of the project area an opportunity to vote on whether or not they want the wall to be constructed and if so, the color and texture of the noise wall. The invited residents own property directly adjacent to and located closest to the physical noise wall structure.
Please click on the following links to view the displays that were available at the meeting, including the color and texture choices available for the noise walls, as well as links to sample renderings and noise wall mapping for the southern section of the project area.
Color and Texture Options
Ashlar Stone and Brick Noise Wall - Sample
Multi-Color Noise Wall Options with Retaining Wall - Sample
Noise Wall and Road - Sample
Southern Section Noise Wall Mapping
Voting Results – Noise Wall Construction, Color, and Texture Meeting (Southern Section)
Fifty percent of the affected property owners in the southern section of the project area participated in the voting process. The questions and choices regarding the construction, texture, and color of the noise walls are listed below:
| Question |
|
Choices |
| Do you want a noise wall constructed? |
|
Yes No |
| Which wall texture do you prefer? |
|
Stone, Fuzzy Rake, Grape Stake, Shiplap, Brick |
| Which color do you prefer? |
|
Gray, Tan, Brown, Beige, Red |
The voting results are as follows:
Area 3 South (Blue Ballot) - I-476 South from Walton Road to Sheffield Drive:
- Construction of the Noise Wall - Yes
- Texture of the Noise Wall - Stone
- Color of the Noise Wall - Tan
Area 3 North (Green Ballot) - I-476 South from Jolly Road/Meadow Drive to DeKalb Pike/Route 202:
- Construction of the Noise Wall - Yes
- Texture of the Noise Wall - Stone
- Color of the Noise Wall - Gray
Area 4 (Yellow Ballot) - I-476 North from Buggywhip Circle to DeKalb Pike/Route 202:
- Construction of the Noise Wall - Yes
- Texture of the Noise Wall - Stone
- Color of the Noise Wall - Brown
Area 5 (Pink Ballot) - I-476 North from Oakridge Drive to Crestline Drive:
- Construction of the Noise Wall - Yes
- Texture of the Noise Wall - Stone
- Color of the Noise Wall - Tan
A meeting for the owners of property directly impacted by noise walls in the northern section (Upper Gwynedd and Towamencin Townships) of the project area will be held after the final plans display. The final plans display for the northern section is tentatively scheduled to be held later this year.
Please check out the photo gallery for photos from the meeting.
Noise Impact Analysis
This report describes the methodology and presents the findings of the
traffic noise study conducted for the full-depth reconstruction project from
Milepost A20 to A30 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania. The full-depth reconstruction project will convert the existing
four-lane roadway with a 10-foot median to a six-lane typical section with a
26-foot median. The purpose of the traffic noise study is (1) to determine if
project-related noise impacts will occur and (2) to determine whether noise
abatement for affected areas in the form of noise barriers or other mitigation
measures would be warranted, feasible, and reasonable, based upon Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) criteria as utilized by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Please use the Contact Us page to
communicate with the project team.
Noise Impact
Analysis
The Noise Impact Analysis Report is a very large file
(approximately 20MB). Depending on your internet connection, downloading time
may vary.
Noise
Mitigation Mapping
This stand alone mapping graphically conveys the results of the Noise Impact
Analysis Report for the total reconstruction and widening of the Northeastern
Extension (I-476) from the Mid-County Interchange to the Lansdale Interchange.
The full report, dated May 2008, is also available in digital format on this
project web site.
These maps provide a graphic representation of the project area with a focus
on noise-sensitive features of the design and the existing landscape. Noise
Sensitive Areas (NSAs) have been identified on the mapping, and are used as an
organizational and analytical tool to identify communities experiencing common
traffic noise influences. Additionally, both monitored and modeled sites used in
the analysis are graphically depicted on the aerial mapping, as is the proposed
edge of shoulder for the improved facility. Noise barriers that are recommended
for construction are represented on the mapping by a "dashed" black and yellow
line.
Noise Analysis Workshop
On October 17, 2007, Senator Rob Wonderling and Towamencin Township hosted a
traffic noise analysis workshop for Towamencin residents. This workshop,
presented by the Turnpike's Northeastern Extension project team member Nathaniel
Weinstock, Acoustic and Air Quality Specialist with A.D. Marble & Company,
provided a detailed review of traffic noise analysis methodology used on highway
projects in Pennsylvania. To view the workshop PowerPoint presentation, please
click the link below.
Noise Analysis Workshop Presentation
The following guidelines are utilized by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
for traffic noise analyses and are sometimes referenced in response to inquiries
about noise walls.
Publication 24 - PennDOT Project Level Highway
Traffic Noise Handbook
Highway Traffic Noise
Making Sound Decisions about Highway Noise Abatement