Number
040509
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
900693
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL
Title
Substitute resolution relating to construction of noise barriers along U.S. Highway 45 in the vicinity of West Florist Avenue.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes and directs the City Engineer to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for programming the construction of freeway noise barriers along the west side of U.S. Highway 45 between Carmen and Florist avenues and between Florist and Appleton avenues with no local cost participation. The segment between Carmen and Florist had previously been approved for programming, but was dropped due to neighborhood opposition. The other segment previously did not meet the criterion for construction without local cost participation, but may now meet that criterion due to changes in circumstances at that location. To verify that it now meets that criterion, this resolution further directs the City Engineer to request that WISDOT reevaluate the cost-per-abutting- residence of construction of a freeway noise barrier between Florist and Appleton.
Body
Whereas, Chapter Trans 405 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, created in 1989, contains procedures and criteria to be used by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT) to evaluate and select site locations for freeway noise barriers; and
Whereas, Following creation of the noise barrier program in ch. Trans 405, WISDOT contracted with the consulting firm of Howard, Needles, Tammen and Bergendoff to evaluate freeway noise levels throughout the state and, using the criteria in ch. Trans 405, establish a ranking list of locations eligible for freeway noise barriers; and
Whereas, The consultant found that, based on noise levels alone, 67 locations in the City of Milwaukee, including the west side of U.S. Highway 45 between Carmen and Florist avenues and between Florist and Appleton Avenues, qualify for noise barriers; and
Whereas, Chapter Trans 405 specifies that the WISDOT share of the total cost of a noise barrier may not exceed $30,000 per abutting residence, with the local unit of government responsible for any additional cost; and
Whereas, Of the 67 potential noise barrier locations in the City of Milwaukee, 35 met the cost criterion, including the location on the west side of U.S. 45 between Carmen and Florist, but not including the location on the west side of U.S. 45 between Florist and Appleton; and
Whereas, Because of new construction over the past decade, the cost per abutting residence of constructing a noise barrier on the west side of U.S. 45 between Florist and Appleton has most likely decreased, perhaps to the point where a local cost share is no longer necessary; and
Whereas, Common Council File Number 900693, adopted September 4, 1990, authorized and directed the City Engineer to submit applications to WISDOT for programming of the construction of freeway noise barriers at all 35 locations in the City of Milwaukee that met both the noise and cost criteria under the consultant's study, including the west side of U.S. 45 between Carmen and Florist Avenues; and
Whereas, Although WISDOT approved and programmed the construction of the noise barrier between Carmen and Florist Avenues, the barrier was never built because the Common Council member who formerly represented the area asked that the project be deleted due to neighborhood opposition; and
Whereas, The Common Council member who currently represents this area has conducted a postcard survey of neighborhood residents and has received no indication of opposition to construction of a noise barrier between Carmen and Florist Avenues; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee supports the construction of freeway noise barriers on the west side of U.S. Highway 45 between Carmen and Florist Avenues and between Florist and Appleton Avenues with no local cost participation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Engineer is authorized and directed to submit applications to WISDOT for programming the construction of freeway noise barriers along the west side of U.S. Highway 45 between Carmen and Florist Avenues and between Florist and Appleton avenues; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Engineer is authorized and directed to request that WISDOT reevaluate the cost-per-abutting-residence of construction of a freeway noise barrier between Florist and Appleton avenues to determine if that location now meets the cost criterion for noise barrier construction with no local cost share.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB04321-1
JDO
08/09/04