ODOT declines on noise walls

U.S. 24 in Waterville-Napoleon area studied

7/14/2014
BY KATHLEEN ASHCRAFT
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Based on noise samples taken in March and April, the Ohio Department of Transportation has decided not to construct noise walls near the Waterville-Napoleon section of U.S. 24.

The section opened in August, 2012, and residents began to complain of traffic noise.

ODOT took sound recordings at five locations at varied distances from the road along the section of U.S. 24 over a two-month period.

The recordings were taken at every hour over a 24-hour period in each location.

Residents, along with state and local officials, attended a meeting Monday to discuss ODOT’s findings and results based on the recordings. State Sen.

Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green) attended the meeting, along with Harold Grim from Monclova Township and Waterville city officials.

At the meeting, ODOT shared the results of the noise sampling.

Spokesman Theresa Pollick explained that there are two criteria for noise walls that the section failed to meet.

She said the noise pollution must exceed a 66-decibel threshhold.

There is also a cost-per-unit requirement in which a certain number of houses must benefit from the noise walls.

The density of the surrounding population must merit $35,000 per benefited receptor.

Neither of these criteria were met upon review of the noise recordings.

Data shared by ODOT revealed that the equivalent continuous noise level, never exceeded the 66 decibel mark at 6067 Wood Drive or at 7700 Dutch Rd.

The noise level did exceed 66 decibels a few times at 8300 Dutch Road, which was the closest location to the road at a distance of 250 feet.

However, the average equivalent continuous noise level remained below the criteria level.

Ms. Pollick said the noise wall would have cost an estimated $1 million per mile.