Champaign’s new highway noise reduction wall has raised some eyebrows, however, it hopes to maintain quality of life amid interstate expansion.
Right now, the makings of a beige-colored barrier are being constructed on the interstate between the exits of Mattis and Prospect avenues. It is oddly bulky-looking and not very consistent in height. So what is this odd wall here for? Jason Smith, a District Five Construction Engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation says it is all about the sound.
He explains that this barrier is part of the “I-57, I-74 Interchange [Reconstruction] Project.” In this project, Smith details that from the Prospect Avenue exit to the interchange/clover leaves, the previous two lanes will be widened to three. This means the interstate and its variety of noises will get closer to the businesses and neighborhoods on either side. This barrier is meant to keep these noises from disturbing them.
The functionality ultimately depends on how the barrier is used. Smith details that the higher the barrier is, the more it helps reduce noise. He also explains that the height needs to be at a certain point in specific areas to help stop the sound, which is why the height is uneven.
The length of the barrier is also important, as it has to be long enough to stop the sound from wrapping back around. Smith explains that in order to dissipate the noise from someone standing right in front of it, it would need to be two hundred feet long. Smith also details that, with the way the barrier has been constructed, it will dissipate ten decibels from the sixty-decibel average of interstate traffic noise. He goes on to state that, it “…doesn’t sound like a lot but by the perception of a human ear that [it] actually seems like about cutting it in half.”
Apart from its beige and pretty dull appearance, there are a few concerns with the sound barrier’s construction, most notably the possibility of a fire on the interstate. Luckily there are hydrants, though they are located on the other side of the barrier.
Therefore, Smith explains “you’ll find that there’s actually access doors adjacent to the fire hydrants so that emergency services can still get through the wall to access those hydrants to put out fires on the interstate if need be.”
Another potential concern, though nowhere near as life-threatening, is the need for maintenance. However, Smith explains that there is not much that needs to be done for it besides the regular maintenance that concrete requires as well as repairs needed due to vehicle collisions.
The $8.5 million I-57/74 Interchange Reconstruction Project is being funded with what Smith details as “90% from the federal government then 10% of the money is state-funded.” Moreover, Smith explains that it is being built by “White Construction of Indiana,” the company that is also in charge of the bridges being built as a part of the interchange project.
Smith shares another interesting detail saying that “…on average we have five to seven people working on it daily…” though it varies as workers sometimes need to work on other things. Despite having such a small number of workers, they have made a lot of progress. As of Feb. 12, according to Smith, both sides of the barrier are now “95%” complete.
