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Q: What does it mean when an EIS says I live in a Noise Sensitive Area?
A: If your property or neighborhood has been designated a Noise Sensitive Area, or NSA, this means it may be affected from the noise generated by a proposed transportation improvement.
Noise Sensitive Areas are generally defined as groups of residences, and may include libraries, houses of worship, hospitals, schools and parks. During design, PennDOT attempts to determine if noise impacts are anticipated, and if so, if some type of noise mitigation – such as a noise barrier – can be constructed to help alleviate, or reduce, traffic noise in these areas.
It should be noted that commercial and industrial properties and other facilities that maintain normal business hours are usually excluded from noise mitigation measures as these properties normally require visibility and access from a proposed transportation improvement.
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Q: When are the actual locations of a noise barrier determined?
A: For most highway projects, more than one alternative design is considered. During the EIS process, the Draft and Final document outlines proposed locations of noise barriers for all transportation improvement options. However, the design of noise barriers only begins once the Preferred Alternative, outlined in the FEIS, is selected by the Federal Highway Administration. Final Noise Mitigation determinations and specifics are not made until the Final Design phase of the project.
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Q: What if I don't want a noise barrier constructed for my community?
A: During the noise barrier design process, residents in each of the Noise Sensitive Areas will have the opportunity to express their opinions during noise-specific Public Meetings. To fully participate, you are encouraged to attend these meetings, fill out all project questionnaires and voice your opinions.
During the Final Design process, PennDOT will work with community members to reach conclusions and make recommendations related to noise mitigation. If noise mitigation is determined to be warranted, feasible and reasonable, and noise mitigation is acceptable to the majority of the impacted residences, it will be considered for construction. However, once it has been determined that a proposed noise barrier meets PennDOT's criteria for construction, public preferences are considered. If a majority of affected residents do not want a barrier to be built between their properties and the transportation improvement, the barrier will NOT be built. Keep in mind, however, that these decisions are final. If a community decides that it does not want a barrier, it cannot request a barrier once construction is complete.
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