EVERETT – There appear to be two types of people in Snohomish County: those who are glad to have the state Department of Transportation erect noise walls along the new I-5 expansion in Everett, and those who are not.
Both were present at a public meeting at the Everett Public Library on Wednesday.
| For more information on the I-5 project, call the state construction hotline at 877-241-0770. |
“I was told there are a lot of people who don’t want the barrier because it’s a waste of taxpayer money, but I haven’t had any of those yet tonight,” Transportation Department acoustic specialist Larry Magnoni said.
Just then, Dean Lincoln, 53, was busy filling out a comment card that stated in no uncertain terms that tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere.
“Most of the homes that are there were built after the freeway was built,” Lincoln said. “But I live in Lake Stevens, so I suppose the people who live along there think it’s a better deal.”
Meanwhile, Marilyn and Neil Keefe were trying to persuade Magnoni that they need a noise wall. Their neighborhood is made up of just two homes, both close enough to I-5 to warrant a sound barrier, Marilyn Keefe said.
“They’re saying it’s not feasible, but our bedroom is right along the freeway, and I think it will be louder,” said Marilyn Keefe, 77.
She was told to leave her name and phone number, and a state official would contact her if any other options are available.
In a three-year, $220 million project that will bring commuter lanes to all Everett exits, a right-hand Broadway exit from I-5 and six water treatment stations for freeway runoff, the noise walls are certainly the most luxurious component, and plans for them offer residents options.
Ten noise walls will be built in populous neighborhoods to provide a noise level reduction of 5 decibels or more, Transportation Department public outreach manager Connie Lewis said. Each neighborhood will choose one of three textures of wall to face their homes.
The Pinehurst neighborhood chose “fractured granite,” a texture Magnoni compares to the bark of a Douglas fir tree. Transportation Department officials will deliver ballots in other neighborhoods in coming weeks.
The side facing I-5 traffic will be decorated with landscaping, waterscapes and fish scenes.
Neighorhoods that experience noise of more than 67 decibels were considered for the walls, Magnoni said.
“That’s when you have two people standing 3 feet apart, and they can’t understand each other,” Magnoni said.
“You don’t have hearing loss at that range, but it is an annoyance.”
The noise walls will guard against the psychological effects of living near a freeway. Magnoni said people who can see traffic are more likely to believe it is louder than those who cannot.
Dozens of people attended the forum.
“We pretty much do this for every project,” Transportation Department engineer Chon Pieruccioni said. “One man came in real frustrated because he’s dealt with this traffic forever. I was able to explain to him how we were going to change things, and that really put his mind at ease.”
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
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