A new push by the city for sound barriers along I-93

On January 18, 2017, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

A sound barrier is badly needed along the stretch of I-93 running through Somerville, according to members of the Board of Aldermen, not only to reduce noise levels but to also lower air pollution levels.

By Jim Clark

At the last Regular Meeting of the Somerville Board of Aldermen last Thursday, a resolution was put forward by Ward 1 Alderman Matthew McLaughlin and the entire Board that the Administration advocate for sound barriers along I-93 in East Somerville to help reduce air pollution by up to 50 percent.

Speaking in favor of the resolution, McLaughlin said, “Everyone here is aware of the need for sound barriers along I-93. Probably the greatest injustice ever done to this city was I-93 cutting through Somerville and through Winter Hill, and the resulting air pollution which is statistically proven to cause cancer in these neighborhoods. It is the basis for the reason we’re supposed to get the Green Line. However, because of all the changes in the city, the Wynn casino coming, economic development, the Green Line does not guarantee that pollution mitigation will happen in East Somerville.

McLaughlin went on to express his disappointment that there have been no results from the state and that he was resubmitting the resolution and also making an appeal to the public for support for the resolution.

“I put out for people to call Governor Baker and to call MassDOT and I was proud to hear that MassDOT was quite angry at the amount of calls they got and said who was responsible for this,” McLaughlin continued. “So I’ll take that as a badge of honor.”

Ward 1 Alderman Matthew McLaughlin made a strong case for renewing the city’s effort to get a sound barrier wall constructed along the Somerville portion of I-93.

McLaughlin added that anyone who was interested in expressing their opinions on the matter can call MassDOT at 781-641-8300 and Governor Baker’s office at 617-725-4005 and demand sound barriers at I-93.

A moment of levity lightened the presentation when Board President William A. White Jr. asked McLaughlin if he had the governor’s home number.

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann M. Heuston suggested that the state delegation be asked to press the matter on the state level. “Since our state delegation has been so effective with the Green Line, I think we would be remiss if we didn’t include our state delegation to go to bat for us on this,” said Heuston. “Because I recall Alderman Sullivan has been for awhile asking for these barriers for noise. So, it’s been a long-standing request, and I think our state delegation should be included in the phone calls.”

Alderman White suggested that the entire Board be included in sponsoring the resolution, noting that the issue has been addressed by the Board as a whole for many years.

Alderman-At-Large Dennis M. Sullivan spoke to the issue as well saying, “I drive by on 93 every day on my way to work – 93 South, going to work – and I look at the fence that is falling down.”

Sullivan reported that a permanent fence was recently put up during the holidays, but he challenged those present at the meeting to name a particular neighborhood that had been impacted more severely that the Nunnery Grounds.

“I travel around the state a lot with my job,” Sullivan continued, “Wakefield, Medford, they’ve got big walls constructed.” He pointed out that the impacted neighborhoods in those cities were farther away from the highway than the affected areas in Somerville.

Sullivan summed up by saying, “We need to get it done. We’re an environmentally challenged community and this is just another example that we need to get going on this and we need strong representation at the state level.

The matter was referred the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety and a copy of the resolution sent to the members of the Somerville state delegation.

 

8 Responses to “A new push by the city for sound barriers along I-93”

  1. Matt says:

    How was this not already rolled out?

  2. LindaS says:

    Nothing is a priority for the City unless they are losing money or it will make them money.

    They also don’t seem to realize that noise pollution isn’t just along those areas, but citywide. Construction noise, for one, must be all over the place, especially in the Union Square area, and that must also create air pollution from the exhaust coming from the equipment and the dust and dirt that may be kicked up as well. I feel for anyone who is living around that.

    When Maxwell’s Green was being built behind my house, I had to deal with constant construction noise and air pollution coming in through the windows, to the point where I had to close them in the summer, so I know that anyone living or working near construction areas must be going crazy.

    Now that Maxwell’s Green has finally been completed, every day, several times a day, including very early in the morning, there is a garbage truck that empties the dumpster there, and they bang it into the truck so hard it sounds like a cannon went off. Imagine hearing that early on a Saturday morning, especially if you have young babies that are easily wakened. It’s even worse in summer when the windows are open.

    These things, of course, do not matter to the City, so it’s highly unlikely they will ever be addressed. Be thankful that they are doing anything about I-93, even if it took them this long to do it.

  3. Rachel Klein says:

    It’s pretty insane that this hasn’t happened long ago. Especially considering all the money being dumped into the Green Line. It has to happen soon.

  4. Townie says:

    Wow Linda it almost sounds like you live in a city…

  5. Oliver Seppo says:

    Can we add also fine articulate barriers? 🙂

  6. Oliver Seppo says:

    I meant “particulate”

  7. JAMES says:

    Medford got there walls up and Somerville is still waiting for them for over 15 yrs

  8. ritepride says:

    DOT just does what they want. Powderhouse Blvd has had “No Trucks” signage posted along it for over 60+ years. Now large heavy trucks travel along 24 hours day. Empty dumpster trucks reverberating echoing bangs as they travel over ruts in the pavement from 11 pm thru early a.m. hours. Plus box trucks, car carriers, Walgreen trailers, etc. Contact some aldermen and no action has been done to correct this issue.

    Wrote to Richard A. Davey, then MA Secretary of Transportation, who wrote back that the MA DOT made the Blvd a truck route in the 90’s. Ironic that no one in the neighborhood was contacted about any hearings on how some state hack decided to devalue the property values of the homeowners by doing such a stupid thing.

    Maybe now our BOA is getting full time pay for part-time positions, instead of rubber stamping the mayor’s new high school etc. They will take time to get the state to revoke their illegal ruling. Powderhouse Blvd is a city roadway, not a state road.