1. Will there be construction at night?

In order to build the highway quickly, there will be night work. Without night work, the highway construction would take almost twice as long.

2. Are soundwalls being considered as part of the project?

Noise studies and the location of soundwalls are currently being studied.

3. Will walls be built for parks and schools

The noise studies that are currently ongoing will consider abatement at locations identified as having a traffic noise impact, these studies include receptors located in parks and at schools.

4. Is it true that doubling the number of cars doubles the noise?

No. If the number of cars were to double, the traffic noise volume would only increase by 3 decibels from the previous volume. For comparison, the human ear perceives each 10-decibel increase in noise level as a doubling in loudness.

5. Could a different road surface be used to lower noise levels?

Caltrans is currently studying pavement types to determine whether they result in a noise reduction and, if so, by how much. Currently the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) does not approve of pavement as a noise abatement strategy.