Property owners in Noise Study Area, including the City's Department of Recreation, vote to not include barriers along I-95 in Cottman Interchange project
March 2008 -- Property owners in the Noise Study Area for the I-95/Cottman Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Project (I-95/CPR) have recommended that PennDOT not include the placement of noise barrier walls along the southbound perimeter of the interstate as part of upcoming construction at that interchange.
The City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation, which owns Disston Park, as well as property owners on sections of Keystone Street, State Road and several other streets adjacent to I-95, voted individually against the placement of barrier walls atop the parapets of the interstate.
PennDOT presented the findings of the project Noise Study and the types of sound barriers that could be used to mitigate some of the highway's noise to the property owners at a meeting held Dec. 6, 2007 at Our Lady of Consolation Church Hall. Attendees were then asked to vote on whether or not walls should be included in the construction plans for the interchange. Those not in attendance at the meeting were asked to cast a vote on the proposal via mail.
PennDOT announced the decision by those in the study area in letters sent to property owners February 29.
In turning down the offer of noise walls, property owners cited a desire to retain a partial view of the nearby waterfront areas as well as concerns that noise walls could become targets for vandals.
The study area included the following Tacony neighborhoods:
• Keystone Street: From Levick Street to Princeton Avenue
• State Road: From Longshore Avenue to Cottman Avenue
• Wissinoming Street: From Princeton Avenue to Cottman Avenue
• Friendship Street / Wellington Street / Cottman Avenue: From Wissinoming Street to State Road
• Longshore Avenue / Disston Street: From State Road to Keystone Street
• Princeton Avenue: From Wissinoming Street to Keystone Street
PennDOT will reconstruct the Cottman Avenue Interchange under a three phase project that is expected to begin construction later this year.