Noise Wall FAQs

Noise Wall Installation 10.29.13What are noise walls?
Noise walls are the most common barrier for highway noise and are usually constructed out of dense materials such as concrete or masonry block.  On US 36 in the project area the existing noise walls are made of wood.

How do noise walls work?
Noise walls reduce noise by blocking the direct travel of sound waves from a highway to adjacent homes, forcing the waves over the top or around the wall. The wall must be high enough and long enough to block the view of the highway. This is the phenomenon that allows a noise wall to provide a perceivable noise reduction. Noise walls will have little to no impact for homes on a hillside overlooking a road, or for buildings, which rise above a barrier. Noise barriers are most effective for the first one or two rows of homes at distances up to 200 to 300 feet from the barrier. As noise levels decrease with distance, there is a point away from the highway at which noise barriers are no longer effective. It is important to note that barriers are not designed to eliminate or block all noise.

Where are noise walls being constructed on the US 36 Express Lanes Project?
The noise walls are not being built as one continuous wall, but will be constructed in segments throughout the corridor where noise impacts can be effectively reduced. Click on the links below to view a map of the proposed walls in that specific area:

What is the construction schedule for the noise walls on this project?
Removal of the old wooden noise walls began in Spring 2013. Crews removed the old walls first before beginning construction on the permanent concrete walls.  The noise walls will be completed by winter 2014.

Will I get a temporary noise wall?
In some areas, the existing wooden noise walls have been temporally relocated to provide some noise reduction during the construction period. In other areas of the project this has not been possible due to utility conflicts or the lack of room on CDOTs right-of-way. In areas where the relocation of the wooden walls is not possible, the contractor will make every effort to construct the new concrete walls as soon as possible.

What will the new noise walls look like?
The new noise walls on the US 36 Express Lanes project will be concrete instead of the existing wood walls. The color and finishes of the walls vary throughout the corridor depending on the city. Below are links to the various noise wall aesthetics:

 

Additional noise information
For more noise FAQs, click here.