Residents in the Riverbend community, located in the southeast, have voiced concerns regarding excessive traffic noise along Glenmore Trail. They are dissatisfied with the current sound wall’s effectiveness in mitigating the noise levels. Nichole Walczak, a resident, mentioned that the noise is so disruptive that her children complain about it, even waking up during late hours. Similarly, Amanda Blackmore expressed how hosting guests has become uncomfortable as they need to raise their voices to converse in their backyard due to the loud noise.
Although there is a sound wall designed to reduce traffic noise next to the expressway, residents believe it no longer adequately blocks the noise. They are urging the city to consider increasing the height, width, or replacing the wall entirely to address the escalating noise issue. Kathleen Schroeder, another resident, highlighted the increasing noise levels and emphasized the need to collaborate with the city to find solutions to minimize the noise disturbance.
Residents have attempted personal measures to lessen the noise impact, such as upgrading windows, changing sleeping locations within their homes, and using thicker curtains. However, they feel limited in their ability to address the noise problem effectively. Schroeder and Blackmore reminisced about the area being quieter before the completion of the Glenmore Trail widening project in 2019. They attribute the heightened noise levels to the city’s growth, leading to more vehicles on the road.
Following a traffic noise assessment conducted in June, it was revealed that noise levels in one area exceeded the acceptable limit for residential spaces. Schroeder, who requested the assessment, felt validated by the study results, indicating a need for action to address the noise concerns. The city’s noise barrier program identifies barriers that require replacement or repair based on surveys and budget allocations, with Riverbend being one of several neighborhoods in need of noise barrier upgrades.
City council has allocated funds for noise barrier repair and replacement in the upcoming budget cycle. Riverbend is not the only community facing noise challenges, as six other neighborhoods qualify for noise barrier enhancements. The city plans to prioritize these sites based on noise levels, the extent of impact on residents, and available funding in the next budget cycle. Schroeder remains hopeful for prompt changes and views the noise assessment as a positive step towards resolving the noise-related issues in the community.