Noise Level Concerns

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WDOT) plan to replace Highway 131 between Rockton and Ontario will exceed allowable noise levels. According to the WDOT, at a receiver location of fifty feet from the edge of the right of way, the sound level is 58 dBA along the existing roadway and will increase to 67 dBA on the new roadway because of the increased volume and speed of traffic. An increase of 10dB sound pressure level will be perceived by the observer to be a doubling or halving of the sound.

The Preferred Alterrnative (the proposed highway) traverses the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wildcat Mountain State Park and a number of farm residences. For these types of land uses, the FHWA considers noise mitigation when noise levels approach or exceed 67 dBA Leq(also referred to as the noise abatement criteria) , or when the future noise level increases by 15 decibels or more when compared to existing noise levels. - from WDOT Environmental Re-evaluation

According to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, autos, at 55mph, produce a noise level of 68 dB at fifty feet. Large trucks, at the same speed and distance, produce an noise level of 86 dB. Large trucks, now a rarity on this section of highway because of the twists,low speeds, and bridges, will increase the sound level from the existing 58 dBH to 86 dB. This 28dB increase, a sevenfold increase of perceived sound, far exceeds the allowable 15 decibel increase. Did the environmental impact statement only calculate auto noise? SHA's are required to use the operating speed if it is determined to be consistently higher than the posted speed limit. An extra 2dB noise level should be added to vehicles operating at 65 mph. If two vehicles are together and making the same amount of noise, the sound pressure level is another 3dB greater than the sound level of just one. There is no evidence to show that the WDOT considered these additional factors. Most of this new section of road will go through parkland. So far, government agencies have been careful not to refer to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve as a park. It will, however, have trails, canoe landings, parking areas, and other park facilities. If referred to as a park, the truck route might not be allowable.

The Environmental Impact Statement only looks at noise impacts along the new stretch of highway. The E-RA states that changing the roadway alignments would attract a greater number of trips (both car and truck) currently being diverted from SH 131 for safety and travel time considerations. Most of this extra though traffic would travel all the way, fifty-one miles, between Tomah and Readstown. Forty-five miles of highway affected by this project are ignored by the EIS to escape required noise abatement measures along populated stretches of Highway 131. This extra traffic would be funnelled through Tomah, Wilton, Ontario, LaFarge, Viola, and Readstown.

Highway 131 south of La Farge

The Kickapoo Reserve park area, where the new highway is planned, is wider than most stretches of the Kickapoo Valley. The canyon-like walls of the Valley, in some places, are one-quarter to one-half mile apart. This narrowness contains, amplifies, and reflects noise. On a still summer night, owls, frogs, and someone's dog a half-mile away can be heard by residents and tourists alike. These sounds and the diesel noises which may replace them are also ignored by the narrowness of the EIS's scope.