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.

From ODOT- I imagine that those who live in the Laurel Hill Valley Neighborhood appreciate that our sound wall construction is nearly complete.

Some of you may have noticed that the side facing the neighborhood is enhanced with sculptured concrete representing local geologic forms. Vegetation will be planted later in the areas not covered by this architectural treatment.

The sculpted concrete design was chosen by the Laurel Hill Valley Neighborhood last year. Throughout the input process, it was explained that the sculpted design elements would be used as accents at intermittent points, instead of along the entire wall.

The amount of wall that would ultimately be covered by the sculpted concrete design was determined as the overall project budget was refined. As stewards of the public funds, it was important for us to make a fiscally responsible decision. That is why we placed the design treatment on the most highly visible areas of the new sound wall that will not be covered by vegetation. Information provided to the public included renderings of this design that evolved over time as we learned more about the resources available to us.

The patience of the nearby residents with the noise and disruptions during construction made finishing the job easier. This wall is designed to reduce the overall noise levels we expect from projected increases in traffic on I-5 over the next 20 years.

All that remains is straw mulching the soil for the winter and installing plants that will eventually grow onto the sound wall and cover the slopes of the retaining wall.

Over time, the growing vegetation will blend with the sculptured elements to create a look that I think will nicely complement the wall.

(Picture of the wall today and rendering of the wall as it will look once vegetation grows in.)

Tree wall shields park users of freeway noise

From ODOT-

Original plans for the Willamette River Bridge included removal of existing trees west of Interstate 5 and north of the bridge. Early on, local community stakeholders identified the importance of preserving these trees, which shield park users from the noise of the freeway.

We took the stakeholder's interest seriously. The best solution turned out to be a tree wall along the west side of the southbound I-5 lanes just before the bridge. The wall preserves the trees and provides an edge for the widened southbound lanes without increasing the width of the embankment impacting the trees.

For more information on additional environmental measures we're taking with the I-5 Willamette River Bridge, check out this article from HubDOT, written by ODOT environmental program manager Geoff Crook: Bringing new life to the Willamette River Bridge.

Below is a picture of the now completed wall being constructed.

Sound wall work along I-5 southbound on-ramp

From ODOT-

Timelines on a construction project are based on many factors, including scheduling work to limit mobility impacts that may be required. We focus on providing notice of potential delays, alternatives available and how long the changes will be in place.

Earlier this week, a comment was posted regarding completion of the sound wall along I-5 southbound on-ramp from Franklin Boulevard. The on-ramp was closed on June 21 of this year with an expected re-opening date of November 30. The opening date is now slated for December 30. By extending the date, we can complete the new sound wall adjacent to the Laurel Hill Valley neighborhood during this construction season. We are now installing the block for the wall. Finishing touches, including landscaping, will occur later this year or early next year. See my comment on the July 21- Ramps and Walls post for more details

Completion of the sound wall and re-opening of the on-ramp is something we at ODOT look forward to along with, I am sure, all those who live in the Laurel Hill Valley neighborhood.

Ramps and walls

From ODOT-

I know people are pleased that the I-5 northbound off-ramp to Franklin Blvd. has reopened. Now, the I-5 southbound on-ramp from Franklin Blvd. is closed through November 30. Glenwood Blvd. remains the detour route.

Rather than close the southbound on-ramp multiple times over the next two years, we decided to close it once for 18 to 20 weeks. During that time, we'll rebuild the ramp to align it with the new southbound bridge, which is higher than the I-5 Willamette River Bridge that it is replacing.

As you have driven through the area, you may have noticed additional work west of the ramp; we are building a sound wall. Over the past year, we spoke with Laurel Hill Valley residents and other community members about the sound wall's design. We also discussed enhancements that would help it blend into the neighborhood. In addition to mitigating traffic noise from the ramp and I-5, the wall has many improvements over our standard design.

I encourage you to check the blog and follow us on Twitter (@OregonDOT) for updates for the date when the reamp will re-open.

~ Jyll