Project overview
WSDOT plans to design and construct one noise wall on the east side of I-5 in the Maple Leaf neighborhood. This is Stage 2 of the I-5 / 5th Avenue NE to NE 92nd Street Noise Wall Project. The proposed noise wall includes two segments: Wall 1-North, between NE 92nd Street and NE 85th Street, and Wall 1-South, between NE 85th Street and NE 80th Street.
Sound Transit plans to build a light rail line in the same vicinity as the proposed noise wall. In 2006, WSDOT held a meeting with neighbors to discuss the potential schedule and location conflicts. WSDOT was concerned that the noise wall would need to be demolished and rebuilt after only a few years to accommodate Sound Transit’s North Link light rail construction. With support from legislators and the Maple Leaf community in early 2007, we postponed the design and construction (pdf 31 kb) of the proposed noise wall in this area, pending the results of a 2007 ballot measure.
Since the proposed light rail line was rejected by voters in November 2007, WSDOT is moving forward with the design of the proposed noise wall in the Maple Leaf neighborhood and will continue to monitor Sound Transit’s plans for light rail in this area. In early 2008, we completed preliminary design work, including identifying the location and height (pdf 665 kb) of the proposed noise wall, as well as modeling potential noise reduction benefits (pdf 878 kb).
What is the timeline for Stage 2?
- 2005-2007: Planning phase. With support from legislators and the Maple Leaf community in early 2007, WSDOT postponed the design and construction of the proposed noise wall on the east side of I-5.
- 2008: Design east side noise wall and conduct community poll with property owners.
- 2009-2010: With community support, construction of east side noise wall could begin in summer/fall 2009.
The end result
Noise reduction will depend on the height, length, and material of the wall, as well as the distance between each home and the wall. Given the characteristics of how noise travels, noise walls are most effective at reducing noise up to 500 feet from the edge of the traveled lane of I-5. The first row of houses behind a constructed noise wall may experience up to a 50 percent reduction in perceived freeway noise. Adjacent neighbors may experience noticeable reductions in freeway noise up to three rows back from the walls, depending on the topography.
Public involvement
In summer 2008, WSDOT conducted a community poll with property owners near the proposed noise wall in the Maple Leaf neighborhood. The community poll is one part of the outreach process, and helps us determine the community’s support before we continue the design of the noise walls. If a neighborhood majority does not want a wall, WSDOT will not build it. We conducted separate polls for property owners near Wall 1-North and Wall 1-South.
WSDOT held a community meeting in December 2006 to discuss possible construction of a noise wall on the east side of I-5 with the Maple Leaf Community.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Erin Fletcher
Project Engineer
WSDOT Urban Corridors Office
600 Stewart Street, Suite 520
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-770-3504
E-mail: FletchE@wsdot.wa.gov
Mike Murphy
WSDOT Communications
Phone: 206-440-4699
E-mail: MurphyM@wsdot.wa.gov