210 Freeway sound wall is finished. The Metro project, which started in 2009, consists of 2 miles of sound walls along westbound and eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway between Santa Anita Avenue and California Avenue in Arcadia and Monrovia, paid with Measure R funds. The sound walls provide at least 5 decibels of noise reduction. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held. Several Arcadia residents near Victory Chapel on N. First Avenue, where the sound wall ends, are disappointed the barrier doesn't extend farther west.
About 1000 feet of sound walls will be built by the westbound lanes of the 210 Foothill Freeway between Second Avenue and Fifth Avenue. There is also discussion of future sound wall construction projects.
The City Council has decided to spend about $100,000 for vines on the 4.5 miles of sound walls the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will build along the 210 Freeway in 2004-2005.
Construction is stalled on a $11.9 million project to build sound walls on a stretch of the westbound 210 Foothill Freeway, between Baldwin Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard, but work is expected to resume soon. The delay is due to inaccurate design plans that are being modified.
A disagreement between Arcadia's Citizen Sound Wall Committee and the acoustic engineer hired by the city to take sound readings at homes near the Foothill Freeway was patched up during a city council meeting.
Four areas along the 210 freeway qualify for sound-wall construction. According to Chester Howar, Director of Public Works, one of those areas could have a wall built within 9 years, but walls for the other areas may never be built.
Freeway sound walls promised for Arcadia and Monrovia appear to be still on schedule, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The sound walls scheduled for construction as early as 2005 run from Michillinda Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, and from Huntington Drive to California Avenue in Monrovia. Lower priority sound wall project locations are also given.
A noise barrier wall 8 to 10 feet tall-the height most commonly found on local freeways-would do little to reduce the level of annoyance for Arcadia residents who live alongside the 210 freeway, according to a recent study by the engineering firm of J. J. Van Houten and Associates. In spite of the report, the Arcadia City Council will continue to study possible ways of funding the sound barrier, and residents who live near the freeway say they will continue to fight to get a wall built.
Owners of Zapata Vive Mexican Restaurant and Bar Twist bar and grill will appeal the city's denial of their entertainment permits. Neighbors are upset about late night noise.
A proposed city ordinance sets forth a general noise regulation. It sets decibel levels which could not be exceeded. The City Council will study the proposal.
Sound walls will be built along the 210 Freeway by Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) at a cost of $549 million. Under state rules, walls can be built wherever freeway noise is above 67 decibels.
The state is now requiring cities to include a noise element in their planning. Arcadia has contracted with Olson Laboratories for $5150 to provide technical data which the city will use as a basis to form policy.