Breaking ground on a new sound wall

From ODOT-

Contractors are building a new sound wall along the east side of Interstate 5, north of the new Willamette River Bridge. You will start to see it rise later this summer.



Here are some quick facts about the new sound wall:

•  The new sound wall will be 724 feet long and vary from 16 to 17 feet high. 


• The highway-facing side of the sound wall is designed to match the rolling, pixilated representation of a sound wave seen on the sound wall south of the bridge, but without the stone columns.


• The area between the sound wall and the roadway will feature native landscape plantings in front of the wall. 


• Noise impact specialists took sound measurements in the adjacent neighborhood and determined the length, height and design of the wall to achieve a level of noise reduction that meets ODOT standards. 


• In our effort to be a good neighbor, we designed the sound wall to help reduce noise impacts from projected traffic increases on I-5 over the next 20 years.

If you have questions about the sound wall or any other aspect of the Willamette River Bridge project, please let me know by adding a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sound wall design, landscape combine to reflect natural features

From ODOT- While Laurel Hill Valley neighbors have enjoyed the “quieter” benefits of their new sound wall since December, work on the landscaping continues.



Recently, crews installed topsoil and an irrigation system that will support an attractive landscape of plants that are native to the area.



To place the topsoil, crews closed the western shoulder of the southbound Interstate 5 on-ramp from Franklin Boulevard and pumped soil over the wall.

Landscape planting will take place on both sides of the wall, using several native plant species depending on expected height and coverage.



When the bridge project is done in 2014, neighbors and drivers alike will see an attractive blend of native vegetation and sculptured wall forms representing natural features found in the area.



Thanks to the great input and cooperation of the Laurel Hill Valley neighbors, the sound wall will be more than just a noise barrier between homes and the freeway. The blend of the design enhancements and native plants will reflect the local geology, and historic landscape of the southern Willamette Valley.