Observers who participated in our truck study frequently commented about the volume of noise on Rt. 413 as they sat and counted trucks. Research has shown that noise pollution has a negative impact on physical and mental health (Osborne, et al., 2020). A growing body of research shows that chronic traffic noise — which rattles neighborhoods near congested roads— is not just annoying. It is a largely unrecognized health threat.

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Observers who participated in our truck study frequently commented about the volume of noise on Rt. 413 as they sat and counted trucks. Research has shown that noise pollution has a negative impact on physical and mental health (Osborne, et al., 2020). A growing body of research shows that chronic traffic noise — which rattles neighborhoods near congested roads— is not just annoying. It is a largely unrecognized health threat.

A traffic noise study is being completed for the project in accordance with PennDOT’s Publication 24: Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook. If warranted, feasible, and reasonable, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project.

In areas where noise walls are proposed, the benefited members of the community will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall.  A simple majority will determine whether a potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project.