Noise barriers along I-41 in Fox Cities are expected to cut highway noise in half for nearby homes

Sophia Voight, Appleton Post-Crescent
Updated ·2 min read

GRAND CHUTE - Nine noise barriers will be installed along Interstate 41 through the Fox Valley as part of the expansion project.

Over 800 households voted earlier this year on whether noise barriers should be installed near their neighborhood, and all were approved.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation asked residents to vote on the barriers because highway alteration projects are required to include a traffic noise analysis and any noise barriers added to the project must be approved by nearby property owners.

Barriers will be between 10 and 20 feet and made of lightweight concrete, similar to barriers constructed along I-41 in Brown County.

The cost of the new noise barriers will be added to the I-41 expansion project, and homeowners will not be responsible for their cost.

All barriers are expected to cost $20 million, according to I-41 project manager Kyle Treml.

Each barrier is supposed to reduce the highway noise for neighboring homes by 8 decibels, which may be perceived as cutting the noise in half.

Without a barrier, levels of highway traffic noise typically range from 70 to 80 decibels, according to WisDOT.

Where will the noise barriers be installed?

Nine new noise barriers will be added along Interstate 41 through the Fox Cities as part of the expansion project.
Nine new noise barriers will be added along Interstate 41 through the Fox Cities as part of the expansion project.

WisDOT and voters approved nine noise barriers to be placed between Grand Chute and De Pere. Here's where they will be placed:

  • North side of I-41 between Capitol Drive and Lynndale Drive.

  • South side of I-41 between Capitol Drive and Lynndale Drive.

  • South side of I-41 between Lynndale Drive and Richmond Street.

  • North side of I-41 between Lynndale Drive and Fox Valley & Lake Superior Railroad.

  • North side of I-41 between Richmond Street and Meade Street.

  • South side of I-41 between Meade Street and Ballard Road.

  • South side of I-41 between Rose Hill Road and Delanglade Street.

  • South side of I-41 between Wrightstown Road and Peterlynn Road.

  • South side of I-41 between Larry Lane and French Court.

The 23-mile stretch currently only has one noise barrier, located on the south side of the highway between Richmond and Meade streets.

New barriers will be installed at the same time paving for the additional lanes are done in each area.

I-41 expansion aims to widen the highway to three lanes in each direction

I-41 between Grand Chute and De Pere will undergo an expansion project over the next five years to widen the highway to three lanes in each direction. The 23-mile stretch will also get upgraded overpasses and improved exits.

Before expanding the lanes, WisDOT is changing some exits and replacing overpasses along the stretch of highway.

Construction began in April with the closing of Capitol Drive and Rose Hill Road overpasses to begin replacing them. Both overpasses will be closed from spring to fall.

Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 9 noise barriers will be added along Interstate 41 through Fox Cities