Interstate Wall

I'm aware of several Seminole Heights neighbors along I-275 who want the wall. Bring it on down to us. We will take it. However instead of just plain concrete, FDOT could face it with brick. And any areas where this will not be any wall, how about replacing ugly chain link with aluminum wrought iron. And adding more shrubbery as a noise and dust barrier


Article in the Tampa Trib
May 21, 2005

Residents Oppose Plans To Build Traffic Barrier In Neighborhood

By JULIE PACE jpace@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - Diana and Wally Heath describe the 12 years they've spent in their north Tampa neighborhood as a dream come true. Neighbors gather on front porches in the evenings and throw cookouts in the summer.

Now a 22 1/2-foot concrete wall could soon cast a shadow over this close-knit community.

The Heaths' North Castle Court home sits next to Interstate 275 about six blocks north of Busch Boulevard. The couple said they have never been bothered by traffic noise, so they were puzzled when the Florida Department of Transportation announced plans in 1998 to build a noise barrier next to their home. The Heaths said neighbors objected to the plan, and the DOT's interest in building the wall seemed to fade.

Then, in November 2004, the DOT had a public meeting announcing construction of the wall.

The Heaths led a coalition of neighbors and local politicians who opposed the wall, but the DOT said the wall had to be built to comply with federal transportation laws.

DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said federal highway standards require the noise level in neighborhoods to be at or below 65 decibels, the same level as a conversation. Carson said state tests showed levels along the interstate reach 70 decibels. The noise barrier would lower the level at least five decibels.

The federal government will cover the estimated $15 million cost of building the wall, which will run along the interstate from Busch Boulevard to the U.S. Highway 41 overpass.

Carson said she expects residents will appreciate the lower noise levels, but the Heaths said noise is the least of their concerns. The wall will be built directly against the side of their one-story home, covering the windows of two bedrooms. At more than 20 feet high, the wall's shadow will cover the Heaths' entire yard and home, which has a maximum peak of 16 feet.
``It's going to be like you're living in a prison cell,'' Wally Heath said.

The Heaths are fighting the wall's construction and have the support of several Tampa city officials, including city council member Linda Saul- Sena. Saul-Sena said the wall will not only be costly and aesthetically unpleasing, but also is making area residents unhappy.

``Those are three good reasons not to put it up,'' Saul- Sena said.

Saul-Sena and the Heaths said the real issue comes down to money. If the DOT does not build the wall, the agency risks losing federal dollars for future construction projects.

``We made a commitment to the federal government to build the wall,'' Carson said. ``We have to meet federal highway criteria so we have future projects.''

The Heaths' attorney, Betsey Hapner, said the state is overestimating the amount of public support for the project. Hapner plans to submit a petition to the federal government signed by neighbors asking for construction on the wall to be stopped.

``It's federal dollars that will be used so the federal government has the right to withdraw them,'' Hapner said.

Time is running out, however. The state road agency meets Wednesday in Tallahassee to consider construction bids for the project. Carson said construction on the noise barrier could start by late summer or early fall.

The Heaths are hoping for a last-minute miracle, but they know their options are limited.
``When your neighbors are against this, when your public officials that you elected are against it, and it still doesn't matter - that's utterly ridiculous,'' Diana Heath said.

Reporter Julie Pace can be reached at (813) 865-1505. This story can be found at: http://centraltampa.tbo.com/centraltampa/MGBRQBSZY8E.html