1600 Prairie Drive , FAX

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1 Hennepin County Transportation Department Transportation Department , Phone 1600 Prairie Drive , FAX Medina, MN December 30, 2015 Subject: Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81) Reconstruction Project Construction of Noise Barrier Proposed Dear Resident or Owner, As part of the 2016 reconstruction of Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81), Hennepin County is proposing to construct a traffic noise barrier along the east side of Bottineau Boulevard from north of 63 rd Avenue to Interstate 94/Interstate 694 (I-94/I-694). Based on MnDOT s federally-mandated Highway Noise Policy, the county has determined that your property would receive a noise benefit (a reduction in traffic noise of at least 5 decibels) from the construction of the proposed noise barrier. The proposed barrier would reduce traffic noise levels from Bottineau Boulevard. It would be approximately 20 feet high and extend along the boulevard from a point approximately 750 feet north of 63 rd Avenue to the I-94/I-694 interchange. The total length of the proposed noise barrier is approximately 1,960 feet. Hennepin County needs to hear from you. We are asking you to express your opinion regarding this proposed noise barrier. We have an opportunity to build a noise barrier because we will be working on the Bottineau Boulevard Reconstruction Project. We do not know when another opportunity like this will occur again. Here is how you can get more information and share you opinion: Brochure: Enclosed you will find a brochure that provides general facts about traffic noise, the evaluation of traffic noise and the mitigation of traffic noise with the construction of the proposed noise barrier. Neighborhood Meeting: Hennepin County will be hosting a neighborhood meeting where you can learn about the proposed noise barrier and the noise barrier voting process. County representatives will be there to provide information and to answer questions. Visualization materials of the proposed noise barrier will also be available for review. Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81) noise barrier neighborhood meeting Thursday, January 14, :00-6:30 pm Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 7217 West Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park An Equal Opportunity Employer

2 Ballot: As a resident or owner of a benefited property, you may vote for or against construction of the noise barrier using the enclosed pre-addressed, stamped ballot. To cast your vote, you must either return the enclosed ballot at the neighborhood meeting or mail it so that it is postmarked on or before Friday, January 29, Additional ballots will be available at the neighborhood meeting. To receive a ballot at the neighborhood meeting, you will need to show a photo ID to verify your address and ensure that only one response per benefited owner, resident or owner/resident is received. Additional information regarding the voting process can be found in the enclosed traffic noise information brochure. For further information, you are encouraged to visit the Bottineau Boulevard Reconstruction Project website at: If you have any questions regarding the Bottineau Boulevard Reconstruction Project or the noise barrier voting process or if you need special accommodations to attend the meeting please contact me at or jessa.trboyevich@hennepin.us. Sincerely, Jessa Trboyevich, P.E. Senior Project Manager Design Hennepin County Transportation Department 1600 Prairie Drive Medina, MN Enclosures: Bottineau Boulevard Noise Barrier Official Ballot Traffic Noise Information Brochure

3 Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81) Proposed Noise Barrier Why you are receiving this information Hennepin County recently conducted a noise study along Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81) and determined that a noise barrier along the east side of the roadway, from north of 63 rd Avenue to the I-94/I-694 interchange, would reduce the traffic noise level at your property, unit or business by at least 5 decibels. Vote on the proposed noise barrier Property owners and residents who will experience a 5-decibel reduction in noise as a result of a noise barrier can vote for or against the proposed noise barrier located along the east side of Bottineau Boulevard. The property owners and the residents who are eligible to vote are shown in the enclosed aerial photograph in red. Your vote makes a difference Cast your vote on the noise barrier that affects you (shown in red see enclosed aerial photograph) by completing the enclosed voting ballot and mailing it back by Friday, January 29, How voting works You can vote for or against the noise barrier that affects your property, unit or business. Hennepin County follows the MnDOT Highway Noise Policy, which uses a weighted voting system to ensure residents and property owners are given appropriate influence on the outcome of the noise barrier. How much you influence the outcome of the noise barrier is based on how much your property/unit is affected by the noise barrier and whether you own the property/unit. Proximity to Noise Barrier Points Awarded Resident Owner Both Property/unit is immediately adjacent to the noise barrier Property/unit is not immediately adjacent to the noise barrier Only the units in apartments/multi-family residential buildings that receive a 5 decibel reduction of noise get to vote. Businesses, churches, and schools receive a vote equal to that of a property owner. The table above is an example of the voting system. Please see MnDOT s Noise Policy for additional information about the voting process. Additional information about the voting process and the weighted voting system can be found in the MnDOT Highway Noise Policy available at: Upcoming neighborhood meeting When: Thursday, January 14, 2016 Time: 5:00-6:30 p.m. Where: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 7217 West Broadway Avenue Brooklyn Park Page 1 of 4

Frequently Asked Questions Why are noise barriers being proposed as part of the Bottineau Boulevard Project?

Currently, traffic noise levels along Bottineau Boulevard exceed federal noise abatement criteria, and a noise barrier would reduce the noise levels at certain locations by at least 5 decibels.

Hennepin County assesses existing noise levels and predicts future noise levels and noise impacts of proposed construction projects.

4 Frequently Asked Questions Why are noise barriers being proposed as part of the Bottineau Boulevard Project? Hennepin County recently conducted a noise study along Bottineau Boulevard to determine if noise barriers would reduce the level of noise in the neighborhoods adjacent to the project. Currently, traffic noise levels along Bottineau Boulevard exceed federal noise abatement criteria, and a noise barrier would reduce the noise levels at certain locations by at least 5 decibels. Hennepin County is required to comply with the noise limit requirements set by the Federal Highway Administration (23 C.F.R. 772). Why does the county conduct noise studies? Hennepin County assesses existing noise levels and predicts future noise levels and noise impacts of proposed construction projects. If noise impacts are identified, the county is required to consider noise mitigation measures, such as installing noise barriers. All traffic noise studies and analyses must follow the requirements established by federal law, Federal Highway Administration Noise Abatement Criteria, and MnDOT s Noise Policy and noise analysis guidelines. How does the county determine if a noise barrier might be built? Constructing a noise barrier must be feasible and reasonable. Feasibility and reasonableness are determined by cost, amount of noise reduction, safety and site considerations. Noise mitigation is not automatically provided where noise impacts have been identified. Decisions about noise mitigation are made on an individual case. Page 2 of 4

Frequently Asked Questions How do noise barriers reduce noise? Noise barriers do not eliminate all noise. Noise barriers reduce noise by blocking the direct path of sound waves to a home or business.

5 Frequently Asked Questions How do noise barriers reduce noise? Noise barriers do not eliminate all noise. Noise barriers reduce noise by blocking the direct path of sound waves to a home or business. To be considered effective, a noise barrier must reduce noise levels by at least 5 decibels. Can noise levels increase as sound waves pass over a noise barrier? No, noise levels do not increase as sound waves pass over a barrier. Noise levels are reduced the farther the sound waves travel. Could trees be planted to block traffic noise? There is not enough space to plant the amount of and size of trees needed to reduce traffic noise. To effectively reduce traffic noise there needs to be room for at least 100 feet of dense evergreen trees that are 15 feet tall or more. Additionally, if trees are used to reduce traffic noise, they need to be maintained. How is the location of the noise barrier determined? Hennepin County studied various location options to determine the height, length and location which provides the greatest level of noise reduction. Do noise barriers affect property values? There have not been any studies that link property values to the presence of noise barriers. Where can I find more information about the project? Visit Hennepin County s project website at: Page 3 of 4

Frequently Asked Questions When would the noise barrier be installed? The noise barrier would be installed as part of the overall construction project, which is anticipated to begin in spring 2016.

6 Frequently Asked Questions When would the noise barrier be installed? The noise barrier would be installed as part of the overall construction project, which is anticipated to begin in spring Where would the noise barrier be located? The proposed noise barrier would extend along the east side of Bottineau Boulevard from a point approximately 750 feet north of 63 rd Avenue to the I-94/I-694 interchange. The total length of the noise barrier is approximately 1,960 feet. The location of the proposed noise barrier is illustrated in the figure below. Proposed Noise Barrier and Eligible Voter Locations What would the noise barrier look like? The noise barrier will be approximately 20 feet tall, built with wood planks and concrete posts. Hennepin County is preparing computer-generated visualizations of the proposed noise barrier. This information will be shared with property owners and residents at the upcoming neighborhood meeting. Page 4 of 4

MAY 5, Noise Barrier Presentation SE Quadrant Noyes Street and Lincoln Street NOISE BARRIER ABUTTER MEETING. Tech Environmental, Inc.

MAY 5, Noise Barrier Presentation SE Quadrant Noyes Street and Lincoln Street NOISE BARRIER ABUTTER MEETING. Tech Environmental, Inc. MAY 5, 2011 Noise Barrier Presentation SE Quadrant Noyes Street and Lincoln Street Jacobs Engineering Group Group Inc. Inc. 1 Introductions Agenda Overview of Interchange Project Overview of noise barrier