Strongsville Asks State to Build Noise Walls Along Turnpike, I-71

Strongsville officials are asking the state to build sound barriers along the Ohio Turnpike and I-71 when it sells bonds on the turnpike this year.

The state is expected to generate $1.5 billion -- to be used for road projects throughout Ohio -- through the bonds.

Strongsville City Council last week approved a resolution urging state legislators to send some of that money here for noise walls.

"Now's the time to line up for funding from the turnpike bonds," said Councilman at large Duke Southworth, who sponsored the measure.

In fact, Southworth said Strongsville should aggressively pursue the money for other projects, even a long-discussed I-71 interchange at Boston Road.

State Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-7, has also championed bringing noise walls on the turnpike to Strongsville and surrounding communities.

Dovilla said in February he received a commitment from the Ohio Department of Transportation that mitigating turnpike noise will be one of the first projects undertaken if the state’s toll road issues new bonds.

Strongsville officials have for years sought relief from traffic noise for residents who live along the turnpike.

Traffic noise has been an issue ever since the turnpike added a third lane nearly two decades ago, but the cost of erecting sound barriers -- about $1 million a mile -- has been prohibitive.

Officials from Strongsville, Berea, Olmsted Falls and North Royalton formed a civic action group called Working Together to Make A Difference several years ago to address noise issues along the turnpike.

A pilot project tested two types of sound barriers in Berea and North Royalton. 

But new money may be available for road projects soon. Gov. John Kasich plans for the turnpike to issue up to $1 billion in bonds by next fall, and another $500 million later.

Officials believe they could leverage the bonds with federal and local money to raise $3 billion. 

Last year, new safety/sound barriers were constructed on the westbound lanes of the turnpike between Ridge and York Roads in North Royalton. Similar walls are slated to go up this year on the eastbound lanes.