RE: RE: Sound Barrier Question
From (senders in message print header)martyk13 <martyk13@pm.me>ToTokes, Adam (DOT)<Adam.Tokes@dot.ny.gov>CCErica Cerchia<erica@senatormannion.com>, Murphy, TeNesha (DOT)<TeNesha.Murphy@dot.ny.gov>, Melancon, Brian (DOT)<Brian.Melancon@dot.ny.gov>, Butler, Scott R (DOT)<Scott.Butler@dot.ny.gov>, Jermaine Graham<grahamj@nyassembly.gov>, Donna Gomez<gomezd@nyassembly.gov>DateMonday, January 29th, 2024 at 2:26 PMMonday, January 29th, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Thank you Adam!
I will continue gathering signatures for the petition. Does anyone know if there is such a thing a "good" or "magic number" of signature we would need in order to see any meaningful and significant change?
Also, could anyone else chime in regarding the other things I brought up in my email please?
Apologies if I come across as being crude/rude in any way. I will use the excuse I like to occasionally use and say it is because I am originally from Bulgaria and like to get right to the point instead of beating around the bush.
I do appreciate all of you for helping answer all my incessant questions!
On Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 1:58 PM, Tokes, Adam (DOT) <Adam.Tokes@dot.ny.gov> wrote:
Marty,
Erica is correct in that a project would need to be on 481.
The petition may be helpful in getting legislative support in the meantime. That also assumes the legislature provide the funding of a Type II project.
Best of luck with your legislative representatives.
I can often hear the NYS Thruway from my home a half mile away, and tug boats 5 miles away on the Hudson River. Unfortunately, vegetative barriers do little to ameliorate sound level, but often provide psychological benefits in situations when line of site is also open.
Adam Tȍkés
Environmental Specialist
New York State Department of Transportation
Environmental Science Bureau
50 Wolf Road POD 4-1, Albany, NY 12232
(518) 485-2865 | adam.tokes@dot.ny.gov
,
Erica is correct about the need for a [project
From: Marty <martyk13@pm.me>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2024 1:01 PM
To: Erica Cerchia <erica@senatormannion.com>
Cc: Murphy, TeNesha (DOT) <TeNesha.Murphy@dot.ny.gov>; Melancon, Brian (DOT) <Brian.Melancon@dot.ny.gov>; Butler, Scott R (DOT) <Scott.Butler@dot.ny.gov>; Jermaine Graham <grahamj@nyassembly.gov>; Donna Gomez <gomezd@nyassembly.gov>; Tokes, Adam (DOT) <Adam.Tokes@dot.ny.gov>
Subject: Re: RE: Sound Barrier Question
Some people who received this message don't often get email from martyk13@pm.me. Learn why this is important
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.
Hello
You, or nobody so far, has answered my query about the effectiveness or lack there-of of collecting signatures for a petition...
Also, what I would like to know is how come certain areas of 481 have/had noise barriers, erected, by what I assume is the state, when the highway was put in (or if not at that time when and how were they erected)? What is the process of getting something like that done, or has that ship sailed, so to speak, since the highway is already there?
Why is it the responsibility of the home owner(s) to sound proof their homes when having additional businesses come to the area is what causes the traffic to increase? I can't necessarily prove cause and effect here but at least there is correlation. Does not the state/county/town collect taxes from said businesses? Why should the 3 neighborhoods I have cited that are effected by the increased noise, have to spend money to address the issue that was caused by the increase of businesses. Businesses, which I am sure were promised certain tax break from the local governments (like Micron was). Also, does not the sate collect taxes not just from us as home owners but businesses as well?
Thanks again
On Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 12:47 PM, Erica Cerchia <erica@senatormannion.com> wrote:
Hello Marty,
My DOT colleagues are perhaps in a better position to address these inquiries than I am, however upon reading through the State's Noise Analysis Policy and Procedures, my understanding here remains the same - a qualifying, Type I project is needed along a particular stretch of roadway to trigger the need for a noise study and subsequently any form of sound abatement (a Type II project). These types of projects are outlined further on pages 4 and 5 of the linked document. It does also appear that the funding for Type II noise projects needs to be approved by the Legislature, but my DOT colleagues can confirm and clarify this further.
Regarding the table that you've sent, this again is perhaps better addressed by DOT, but this appears to be a list of those areas that may be potentially affected by the noise created from a qualifying project. Residential areas are included on this list, yes, but this is in the event that a qualifying project may impact the traffic near such an area. To my understanding, there is no process for conducting a study or constructing a noise wall in the absence of such projects because the existence of a project is itself needed to trigger a noise study.
The noise study/abatement regulations followed by New York State are in accordance with federal guidelines, specifically Part 772 of the highway noise regulations established under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1970. Part 772.11 outlines under what situations noise studies must be conducted.
In this instance, as there are currently no projects planned that will necessitate that a noise study be performed, the resident concerns and support cited through signage of a petition unfortunately will not meet the qualifying threshold for such a study. In this absence, it is the responsibility of individual homeowners to take noise mitigation measures on their own properties.
~Erica
On Mon, Jan 29, 2024 at 11:44 AM Marty <martyk13@pm.me> wrote:
Good Morning
Thank you both for getting back to me. TeNesha already essentially said the same thing last time I asked. Adam also stated the same thing. I understand that eventually when Micron gets here there might or might not be a noise barrier erected. How long? When? No idea on time frame what-so-ever!?
Separately, let's just assume that Micron never came. What is the process for conducting a noise study for neighborhood to determine whether we meet the level necessary to build one of these walls?
I checked out the NOISE ANALYSIS POLICY AND PROCEDURES, on page 7 there is a table. I have attached the screenshot and highlighted it/
TABLE 1: 23 CFR, PART 772, NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA (NAC)
NOISE ANALYSIS POLICY AND PROCEDURES Page 8
Activity Category B
Activity Category B includes the exterior areas of residential land uses. This land use type
encompasses single-family (including mobile home parks) and multifamily residences,
including hotels and motels that primarily provide long-term accommodations (i.e., one
month or more per stay). Multifamily dwelling units often have associated common areas
for recreational or other use.
Activity Category B:
1. Identify exterior areas of frequent human use within the property limits. For a
single-family residence, an area of frequent human use could consist of a picnic. table or patio. Townhouses are treated like single-family homes since each has its
own outdoor use area. The receivers are normally placed on the rear side of each
townhouse closest to the highway unless there is clearly no yard or patio area on
the highway side. In that case, the receiver should be placed in the outdoor use
area away from the highway.
4.4.18.5.3.1 Abatement Measures
If a traffic noise impact is identified, the abatement measures listed below must be
considered.
Acquisition of property rights (either in fee or lesser interest) for construction of noise
barriers.
Please put yourselves in our shoes. We cannot enjoy our yard. When friends come over, we can't hang outside due to the traffic noise. When our kid has a playdate, it's hard to enjoy the yard due to the noise. At night, we have to sleep with ear plugs. We have been here for 26 years and things are only going to get louder?
Also, nobody answered my question about whether circulating a petition is at all of any use or a hopeless affair?
Thanks again for your understanding and assistance.
On Monday, January 29th, 2024 at 9:51 AM, Murphy, TeNesha (DOT) <TeNesha.Murphy@dot.ny.gov> wrote:
Good morning Mary,
I understand highway noise can be a nuisance and an annoyance. While we see noise barriers along many national, state, county and local highways there are certain factors taken into account when assessing whether noise barriers are both reasonable and feasible (see NYSDOT Environmental Manual).
To have a noise wall be considered for your area there would need to be a highway project being considered which would meet the requirement of a Type 1 Noise Project as defined in our guidance (see NYSDOT Environmental Manual). In a nutshell the project in question would need to; substantially change the height of the road; move the alignment of the road to at least halve the distance to the nearest residence; or add an additional lane.
As mentioned in my email below NYSDOT is preparing for a project associated with Micron in the area of I-481 north near exit 12. If the project is determined to be a Type 1 Noise Project, it would still need to be reasonable and feasible, as defined in the Environmental Manual, before it could be included in the project.
Please feel free to contact the Regional Environmental Unit Specialist for Region 3, Brian Melancon, at Brian.Melancon@dot.ny.gov if you require additional information.
Thank you,
TeNesha Murphy
From: Marty <martyk13@pm.me>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 11:38 AM
To: Murphy, TeNesha (DOT) <TeNesha.Murphy@dot.ny.gov>; dot.sm.mo.I81Opportunities <dot.sm.mo.I81Opportunities@dot.ny.gov>
Subject: Re: RE: Sound Barrier Question
You don't often get email from martyk13@pm.me. Learn why this is important
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.
Thank you for getting back to me. However, who may I contact regarding resolving this issue sooner. The environmental study, etc would probably take a while and this has been an ongoing issue for a long time.
-------- Original Message --------
On 1/24/24 10:21 AM, Murphy, TeNesha (DOT) wrote:
Good morning,
Thank you for reaching out to me and sharing your correspondence with Assemblyman Stirpe’s office.
The I-81 Viaduct Project ends where I-81 meets I-481 in the north. NYSDOT is not making any changes on I-481 north of I-81 (near exit 12) associated with the I-81 Viaduct Project.
You mentioned Micron. Please note, when NYSDOT begins to prepare an environmental impact study for Micron there will be outreach meetings for public comment. The outreach meetings are a good opportunity for you to address your concerns regarding noise levels.
Thank you,
TeNesha Murphy
Community Liaison & Public Information Officer
I-81 Viaduct Project
New York State Department of Transportation, Central New York Region
333 E. Washington Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 728-4251 │tenesha.murphy@dot.ny.gov
From: Marty <martyk13@pm.me>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 8:06 PM
To: Murphy, TeNesha (DOT) <TeNesha.Murphy@dot.ny.gov>; dot.sm.mo.I81Opportunities <dot.sm.mo.I81Opportunities@dot.ny.gov>
Subject: Sound Barrier Question
Some people who received this message don't often get email from martyk13@pm.me. Learn why this is important
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.
Good Evening TeNesha
Could you please take a look at the correspondence below and let me know if this is something you could help with?
I have been going back and forth with Donna Gomez from Al Stirpe's office. Is there a planned noise barrier for our portion of 481 which is a part of the 81 project? I am near exit 12 and the noise has gotten really bad. We cannot even enjoy our back yard. We have been here since 1998 and it just keeps getting worse. I am sure it will get even worse since Micron is coming to now.
Thank you in advance!
------- Forwarded Message -------
From: Marty <martyk13@pm.me>
Date: On Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Sound Barrier
To: Donna Gomez <gomezd@nyassembly.gov>
Ok. Thank you! Will do.
-------- Original Message --------
On 1/23/24 3:41 PM, Donna Gomez wrote:
Marty,
This is what I received from DOT when I asked about a different section of 481. These are the plans for that area. When the project moves forward to your area, perhaps attend some of the meetings and voice your concerns. You can follow on FaceBook, NY DOT I 81, I believe.
Hope this helps, reach out with any further questions or concerns.
The following is information from the contractor, Salt City Constructors LLC, as it relates to Contract 1, Northern Interchange, of the I-81 Viaduct Project.
Noise Barriers:
Contract 1 will include several new concrete noise walls, including some that will replace deteriorated wooden noise walls, as well as transparent acrylic noise walls along Bear Trap Creek Trail and the southbound Business Loop 81 bridge over Church Street.
The contractor is scheduled to install new noise walls between April-November 2024 and March-May 2025.
TTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.