Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/12/2010

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CSAH 116 (Bunker Lake Boulevard) from Germanium to Basalt Streets Noise Analysis Information for Residents Why is Anoka County doing a noise study? Anoka County is planning to expand CSAH 116 (Bunker Lake Boulevard) to a four -lane roadway between Germanium and Basalt Streets to accommodate current and future traffic needs. Sound from existing and future traffic has the potential to create noise that could impact properties along CSAH 116 and CSAH 57 (Sunfish Lake Boulevard). As a condition of using federal dollars for the proposed project, the federal government requires the county to analyze environmental issues related to the proposed roadway expansion. One of the issues that the county must analyze is traffic noise. To better understand existing and future noise conditions in the project area, the county hired a consultant to complete the required noise analysis. Results of the analysis indicate that there are two areas in the project corridor where noise walls would be both cost - effective and adequately reduce noise. The county is providing the results of the noise analysis to affected property owners so that they can be informed about the potential project impacts and can participate in decisions about how to address the impacts. You are receiving this letter because the area in front of your property is eligible to receive a noise barrier as part of the proposed project. The county needs your vote on whether to build the proposed noise wall. How are noise impacts identified and analyzed? The studies use sound measurements to quantify existing noise levels and computer modeling to reflect existing noise conditions and to predict future noise levels that will result from the proposed project. Existing noise levels are compared to future levels without (no build) and with (build) the proposed project. The study takes into account the time of day, the amount of traffic on the roadway, the type of traffic (cars, trucks, semi - trucks, etc.), traffic speed, the type of roadway pavement, etc. As part of the analysis, the county is required to evaluate noise walls and /or berms for areas where existing or future noise levels are 69 decibels (dBA) or higher in residential areas (decibel levels are shown in the column called "Llo dBA" in the tables included in this summary). Figure 22 on the next page shows the locations (receptors) where noise levels were analyzed for this project.