The sound of static meant to mimic the current noise level from Interstate 95 filled the basement of Holy Name Church last Wednesday night.
Then, Ahmed El-Aassar of Environmental Acoustics lowered the volume and demonstrated to residents the noise level they could expect with sound barriers. It was still loud, but there was a noticeable drop in volume.
“Sounds better, doesn’t it?” Fishtown resident John Halstead said to his son.
Noise studies conducted in the neighborhoods along I-95, such as the 100 and 200 blocks of Richmond Street, show that traffic noise ranges from 67 to 71 decibels. The threshold in which sound barriers are warranted is 66 decibels.
With the sound barriers, the noise is expected to be reduced to 58 to 63 decibels, a reduction of eight to nine decibels. However, El-Aassar said the majority of residents – depending on how far they live from the highway – will experience a reduction of five decibels. (By comparison, a clothes dryer is 50 decibels.)
At the meeting Wednesday night, PennDOT officials handed out ballot sheets so residents could vote on two issues: Whether they wanted sound walls along the so-called G2 corridor, which runs from Frankford Avenue to Palmer Street and, if so, what design they prefer for the side that will face the neighborhoods.
The choices are a fluted rib design, which consists of thin horizontal ridges with vertical ridges every few feet; a horizontal plank design; or a random vertical rib design, which has vertical ridges varying lengths apart. (PennDOT also gave a clear wall as an option, while noting that this design is not yet approved in the state of Pennsylvania, but that it might be at some point.)
A resident asked about whether the walls were graffiti-proof. Elaine Elbich of PennDOT said sound walls used to have a coating that made spray paint easier to power wash, but they found it’s easier to just paint over graffiti.
After the meeting, Carol Johnson of Fishtown looked at displays showing the different sound wall designs with other community members.
“I think I like that one,” she said gesturing toward the random vertical rib design. “It’s nicer to look at and it’s not as plain as the other ones. But to be honest, we don’t really care that much what they look like. We’re not going to be looking at the walls. The thing we care about is getting the noise level down.”
Cynthia Fisher agreed, saying that she appreciates the fact that PennDOT is seeking residents’ input on what the walls look like, but it’s more important that they get relief from the noise.
“I live on Richmond Street and I’m really happy that this is happening,” she said. “Whatever the walls look like, they will add a little more peace to the street.”
Residents who are interested in voting but did not attend the meeting can contact PennDOT at 610-205-6846.
Elbich said after they evaluate the ballots and determine which design wins, they’ll convene another community meeting in September to share the results.
