Edit: This petition is explicitly to request a sound study. The last one publically available was performed in 2004 — 21 years ago. According to my tracking data, the sound exceeds safe levels. I have spoken to local, county, and thruway officials, all of whom say a sound study determines barrier necessity, and that a petition is the first step. 

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I have been monitoring the sound at my property on S Ohioville, where the noise from the New York State Thruway reaches levels dangerous to the health of both humans and local wildlife. This noise regularly sits in the 60s dB range, but in winter, with the absence of foliage, the volume often rises to over 75 dB, which is the federally mandated limit at which state and local governments must intervene. 

Noise pollution is a significant stressor on both human and animal populations; studies have shown correlations between high noise levels and adverse health effects such as cardiovascular issues, increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and other issues. For wildlife, this can mean disrupted communication and breeding patterns, among other issues.

There are two main reasons for this petition. One is to get a noise study to properly inform local residents about their health risks. The second is to potentially push to implement a noise abatement barrier. Not only would this improve the quality of life for local residents, but it would also help protect the precious marshland ecosystem and its inhabitants. 

I hope you to join me in calling on our local town authorities to assist us in getting a sound study. It has been 21 years since the last assessment, and homeowners and renters need to be better informed. If it’s deemed necessary, this is the first step in the creation of a noise abatement barrier along the New York State Thruway.