Sound Barrier for Sussex / Turnpike

There was a question recently about a possible sound barrier along the Turnpike to reduce noise for the Sussex area. A few years ago we had a comprehensive presentation by the DOT. They explained that they only put up sound barriers as part of major improvements to the Turnpike such as increasing the number of lanes over a large area. At the time plans were being made for the Jupiter area. Work on the turnpike in southern Palm Beach County has been almost non-existent since the Great Recession hit.

Because of declining toll revenue, the turnpike canceled several construction projects in 2008. Work near the Lantana Toll Plaza and Lake Worth Road initially scheduled for 2009 was a top-priority turnpike project for the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, the county's transportation planning agency. Now a study is planned for 2018 on widening the highway.

The science in the presentation was interesting. Apparently trees and bushes have a negligible effect on noise.

Also since sound waves curve, when there is a barrier only the home immediately adjacent to the barrier is helped. Noise then curves down to affect the rest of the village.

So Mr Sebastian, you could install double windows on your condo to reduce the noise that way. DOT may not come thru in our lifetimes.

(Watch the malcontents copy UCO's work on this and pretend they have done something.)