As traffic roars on
South Side residents petition for I-65 sound barriers
By Mike Alexander
Residents have long complained about the heavy traffic noise along I-65 from I-465 to about a mile south where several single family homes and apartment complexes are located.
They don’t like the constant roar and bellowing of trucks and other vehicular traffic which ruin the peace and quiet in their neighborhoods.
Their request?
Tall panels, otherwise known as sound abatement walls. You see them along highways in other parts of the city.
Lindbergh-Highland subdivision residents Tom and Diana Maier have been leading a movement for residents to attend the public meeting Monday. They have lived on the South Side for 11 years and feel south siders aren’t given the same consideration by state officials as those living on the North Side.
“The South Side and its residents are tired of being slighted on quality of life issues that the denial of these barriers – should that happen – are compromising and make that a highly irritating concern to us,” said Tom Maier.
The state of Indiana will hear those concerns at 6 p.m. Monday in the cafeteria of South Grove Intermediate School, 851 S. Ninth St. in Beech Grove. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will present its findings regarding the traffic noise, and will determine if the barrier is worth the cost.
The area sought for the barriers is from I-465 south to about Perry Manor addition at McFarland and Edgewood avenues, north of Southport Road. Also affected is Roncalli High School. The roar of nearby traffic is said to interfere with football and soccer games.
A letter was sent to residents early September from Melanie Barnes, project director, stating that a “noise analysis concluded that the modeled walls are not cost-effective and therefore are not being considered as part of the I-65/I-465 Interchange Modifications Project.”
The Maiers said they hope for a large turnout of residents, which could influence INDOT to reconsider putting up the barrier as another letter addressed Sept. 14 from INDOT stated that “additional evaluation of noise related impacts may result in additional noise wall segments.”
For more information, visit indot.in.gov.
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