Sourced history
Highway noise concerns documented since 1975.
Every entry links to its public source. Where the record is silent, we say so rather than guess.
1975
Newton's Charles River Pathway Plan identified highway noise as a disturbance along the river approaching Lower Falls.
1975 Charles River Pathway Plan (PDF) (opens in a new tab)2008
Massachusetts transportation legislation included at least $1 million for a Waban Noise Barrier on the east side of I-95 in Newton and Wellesley.
“provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for the construction of a Waban Noise Barrier on the east side of I-95 in Newton between Washington Street (Route 16) and the Charles River and in Wellesley between Charles River and Rosemary Brook;”
Acts of 2008, Chapter 303 (opens in a new tab)2010
FHWA lists a 3,030-foot-long, 16-foot-high concrete I-95 barrier in Wellesley/Newton built in 2010.
FHWA noise barrier inventory (opens in a new tab)2015
Waban Area Council records include a request to extend the existing barrier toward Wellesley Office Park.
Waban Area Council minutes, March 2015 (opens in a new tab)“Add-A-Lane: Sallee Lipshutz reports that we hold on suggestions for mitigation until we ask? the community for what the community might desire as mitigation. Maureen O’Reilly Meagher would like to give people the opportunity to engage on mitigation ideas and to reflect feedback back at the next month’s meeting. Andreae Downs thinks it’s important to reflect on the realistic probability of getting mitigations. Doesn’t expect it is likely. Sallee Lipshutz reports that at a meeting 2 years ago, the mayor said that we would get mitigation if there was damage. Maureen O’Reilly Meagher says that it would be good to ask what people want in order to develop a list. Andreae Downs states we should just make sure to not make promises to community. Sallee Lipshutz reports on four ideas:
The barrier wall to be extended to go to the Wellesley Office Park from where it now ends. As work commences on our segment of Add-A-Lane, traffic will move away from us and then back when the work is done.
Measurement should be done now, and then when traffic is returned.
Wellesley secured sound barrier wall as mitigation.
DOT should work with Newton and abutting towns on the river to manage the river from a regional perspective. DOT is at the table in this role in other areas. We need to develop a regional body of towns near Newton that abut the Charles River that have an interest in the management of the river?
We need a bathymetric study of the topography of the river to demonstrate that Waban has been negatively affected by silt build-up between the two dams.
Along with DCR, DOT needs to help Newton make Quinobequin a safer road for our residents.
Maureen O’Reilly Meagher suggests that we hold discussion to next month.”
2017
December council minutes report that Newton had offered to test noise in the unprotected Waban section, but testing had not occurred by that meeting.
“Sound protection – Maureen O’Reilly Meagher informed that sound protection is being constructed along the Wellesley side of Rt. 128 and that this was a late addition to the Add-a-Lane project. The City had already volunteered to do sound testing for the section of Waban not covered by sound wall on the east side of Rt. 128, but that has not yet happened. Maureen O’Reilly Meagher would like to ask the City to do some sound testing on the Newton side both before and after the Wellesley-side sound wall goes up.”
Waban Area Council minutes, December 2017 (opens in a new tab)2019
Council minutes record renewed follow-up. Attendees reported increased noise after the Add-a-Lane project.
“Issues from the Community Rte 128 Sound barrier. Maureen O’Reilly Meagher asked if there had been any follow up since John Rice said in May that he would speak to Ruth Balser about the fact that there is no sound barrier on the Newton (Waban) side of Rte 128. A sound barrier was constructed on the Wellesley side as part of the Add A Lane project. Meeting attendants generally agreed that noise from Rte 128 had increased as a result of Add A Lane. Kathy Winters promised to follow up with John Rice. There was also some discussion about Waban Area Council holding informative sessions to help educate interested members of the public on how Newton government works and how best to address concerns of members of our catchement area.”
Waban Area Council minutes, September 12, 2019 (opens in a new tab)