By Finn Mills
A new House bill could help reduce traffic noise from Michigan highways.
The proposal from Rep. Ron Robinson, R-Utica, would provide state money for noise abatement projects, the first boost in over 17 years.
Noise abatement measures used in the past are adding walls and earthen berms, adjusting speed limits and prohibiting certain types of vehicles, according to the Department of Transportation.
The Michigan Transportation Fund Act defined how the state distributes money for road maintenance in counties, cities and townships.
Robinson’s legislation and a similar proposal in the Senate discuss noise abatement, with strategies to control and reduce loud noise coming from highways and other roads.
MDOT Deputy Communications Director Michael Frezell said that while the department must do noise analyses on highways, funding for abatement measures is “a challenge” as most of Michigan’s state and federal transportation money goes toward road upkeep.
MDOT has two types of highway projects: The first is construction of new highways and highway improvements, and the second is construction of new noise abatement measures and noise abatement improvements.
Frezell said noise abatement projects have been suspended due to lack of funding since December 2007.
There was, however, a $6 million sound wall project along northbound U.S. 127 in Ingham County that started in March 2016 using federal grants. That project was delayed and ultimately never completed due to lack of material and supplies.
MDOT is reviewing both Robinson’s bill and a similar Senate measure by Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills, Frezell said.
Robinson is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Local Transportation.