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.
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.