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Rep. Toomey responding to #192278 re: sound barriers along I-93.
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Official Text
Mr. Forcellese:
Thank you for your letter to Senator Jehlen and Representative Toomey on behalf of the Somerville Board of Aldermen’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety regarding the request for an update on the feasibility of a sound barrier along Interstate 93. Both of our offices have been in contact with MassDOT to inquire about a sound barrier for noise mitigation adjacent to the Nunnery Grounds area.
MassDOT’s response was that the requested sound barrier would not be feasible for the foreseeable future. Here are the reasons why:
MassDOT follows a strict procedure in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration that strives to ensure an equitable approach to the large volume of sound barrier requests received. This procedure, formally known as the Type II Noise Abatement Program, allows statewide funding to support the Commonwealth’s sound barrier construction projects.
A statewide noise attenuation study of all Interstate highways was completed in March 1989, which prioritized locations to be considered for Type II Noise Barriers. The Type II Noise Abatement Program Priority list identifies 53 locations throughout the commonwealth, listed in the order in which they are to be completed.
Unfortunately, the Nunnery Grounds location is not on that list.
Due to the difficult nature of securing funding for these projects, only 12 of the original 53 sound barriers have been completed in the 23 years since the creation of the list. MassDOT has committed to completing the remaining 41 priority locations on the list prior to considering any additional noise barrier locations, and has stated that they will not consider amending the list before the existing commitments have been fulfilled.
We have sought alternative sources for funding and prioritizing the sound barrier at the Nunnery Grounds including asking for them to be included as part of mitigation for the Green Line delay. Unfortunately sound barriers do to qualify as air quality improvement and therefore cannot be considered as mitigation in that case.
For more information about mandatory Type I Noise Barriers, voluntary Type II Noise Barriers, and progress in implementing the remaining projects on the priority list, please follow these links:
<http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/barriers01&sid=about>
<http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/barriers02&sid=about>
<http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/barriers03&sid=about>
The Type II Priority List can be found here:
<http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/barriers04&sid=about>
Please forward this communication to the members of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. Rep Toomey and Senator Jehlen are both available to discuss the matter further via telephone, and if there is interest, both would be happy to host members of the committee for a meeting at the State House. Rep Toomey can be reached at 617.722.2380 or Timothy.Toomey@mahouse.gov <mailto:Timothy.Toomey@mahouse.gov> and Senator Jehlen can be reached at 617.722.1578 or Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov <mailto:Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov>.
Sincerely,
Tim W. Snyder
Office of Representative Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.
26th Middlesex District
State House - Room 238
p - (617) 722-2380
f - (617) 722-2847