Township To Seek State Aid For Bypass Noise Abatement Project

Newtown Township will seek the state’s support to implement noise reduction measures along the Newtown Bypass, specifically in the areas of Brookside and Newtown Place.  (Click links to view a map.)

During a meeting Wednesday, Board Chairman Mike Gallagher said he and State Rep. Steve Santarsiero recently spent some time visiting residents in those neighborhoods, which are located on either side of the Bypass’ intersection with Sycamore Street. He said the noise levels are very high in the areas that abut the Bypass.

The supervisors voted 4-0 to request that the state put noise abatement measures, such as walls or berms, on its Transportation Improvement Program list. The TIP list is comprised of requests by municipalities seeking funding for specific projects.

Board member Rob Ciervo abstained from voting. He said sound barriers are not cost effective and such a project could result in a domino effect. “I think we have many other priorities,” he said. “Once you do it for one community, you have to do it for every other community.”

Ciervo said he used to live in a community along the Bypass. “When you purchase homes near there, it doesn’t really take that long to get used to (the noise). It becomes background noise.”

Since projects on the TIP list can take years to accomplish, the board said in the meantime it would look further into the specific options for noise abatement.