Minnesota Makes Adjustment To Traffic Noise Barriers

As you travel around Minnesota on any of the Interstates you may have noticed something new in the noise barriers that the state has erected, or should I say you may have noticed something missing. 

What's New With Traffic Noise Barriers?

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced that small holes have been cut into barriers to aide emergency services personnel or utility crews who might be called to work in that area.  

The small holes in the barriers will allow emergency responders or those doing utility work in the area an opening to put hoses or anything crews may need to do their jobs safer to pass through the wall. These holes will aide workers without allowing a lot of noise that the barrier is designed to keep out to get through. 

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Why Are Barriers Placed Where They Are?

You may be thinking to yourself that you don’t see noise barriers everywhere, and that’s true. But there are reasons for that. 

First is the cost of the barrier in the area must be weighed, and of course that comes from several factors including the length and size of the wall. Then the question must be answered how feasible is a noise barrier for a certain location? 

These barriers have been proven to reduce the noise that traffic can produce, but it’s got to check all the above boxes off. And now with the addition of these small holes in the walls, getting needed work done in those areas has gotten easier.