Could noise barriers tone down the din of highway traffic?

With volume comes noise, and Highway 400 is no different. 

Building sound barriers, more commonly seen in the Greater Toronto Area, along certain sections of the highway in Barrie could help reduce noise levels in the coming years.

As reported earlier this month in BarrieToday, the province plans to expand Highway 400 to include up to 10 lanes through Barrie. 

And because the highway runs directly through the city, there are several places where residential neighbourhoods back onto the thoroughfare, especially in the north end. 

In November 2018, the previous city council requested engineering staff to investigate sound barriers in and around Barrie's residential areas.

A noise assessment by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) compared projected noise levels generated from 2031 traffic volumes with and without the highway widening, and where "noise impacts" could occur.

Additional aspects, such as technical (safety and topography) and economic (costs and benefit) feasability are also reviewed.

In a memo to city council, which is included in Monday night's general committee meeting information package, engineering director Bala Araniyasunaran said the MTO’s noise assessment identified noise barriers for the majority of residential areas abutting the highway corridor.

The preliminary assessment identified 13 specific locations in the city.

Seven locations where the sound barriers are recommended include both sides of the Anne Street bridge, four spots around the Bayfield Street interchange, and the area northeast of the Duckworth Street ramps. 

Areas where the noise barriers are deemed to be not feasible include the east side of Essa Road, both sides near the Tiffin Street bridge, the west side of the road between Anne and Bayfield, and the southeast side at Duckworth. 

"City staff will continue to advocate for the implementation of noise barriers through further collaboration with MTO," Araniyasunaran said. "Implementation of noise barriers will coincide with future Highway 400 corridor improvements."

For any new development, the city is responsible, under provincial guidelines, to require developers and builders conduct a noise assessment and provide appropriate noise mitigation, such as sound barriers, for new residential developments adjacent to Highway 400.

Monday's agenda also includes public meetings for a planned subdivision at 521 and 525 Essa Rd., as well as an Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendment for a residential development at 750 Mapleview Dr. E. Council will also a report regarding the potential implications of declaring a public health emergency around the city's opioid epidemic.