18. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation – Noise

Noise Impact Assessments

• A noise impact assessment was completed in accordance with the Ministry of Transportation Environmental Noise Guide, 2006.
• The assessment compared predicted noise for future (2041) traffic conditions with no highway improvements in place and future (2041) traffic conditions with the highway improvements in place at adjacent noise sensitive areas (i.e. residential buildings) within the Study Area.
• A total of 11 receptors were investigated for noise impacts in the noise assessment.
• The final step of the investigation was to consider feasibility of noise attenuation at receptors where the proposed project is predicted to result in a future increase in noise level equal to or more than 5 decibels (dBA) or equal to or greater than 65 dBA at any receptor.
• The feasibility of whether mitigation is provided is based on the review of technical, economical, and administrative feasibility. All conditions must be met for noise mitigation to be constructed.

Key Findings

• 1 receptor will have decreased level of noise with the highway improvements.
• 2 receptors will experience no change in noise level.
• 6 receptors will experience insignificant increase in noise level (less than 5 dBA of noise).
• 1 receptor will experience significant increase in noise level (greater than 5 dBA of noise).
• 1 receptor will experience <5 dBA increase in noise level, but the noise level will increase to more than 65 dBA.
• It was determined that a noise barrier within the Ministry of Transportation right-of-way does not achieve feasibility criteria for the two receptors experiencing impacts due to noise.
• Construction noise can be a cause of temporary disturbance to surrounding noise sensitive areas.