Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Highway 10

Anoka

Noise barriers

Noise barriers are solid obstructions built between the highway and properties along the highway designed to reduce the noise level of vehicles. Barriers can be either beams or high vertical walls.

Noise walls along Hwy 10 in Anoka

Traffic noise was studied along the Hwy 10 corridor in Anoka. Specific results for the noise analysis is available within the Noise Report (PDF) for this project.

Constructing a noise wall must be feasible and reasonable. Feasibility and reasonableness are determined by cost, amount of noise reduction, safety, and site considerations.

Traffic noise along Hwy 10 between Hwy 47/Hwy 169/Ferry St. and 7th Ave. exceeds the state and federal noise standards. A noise study concluded that six noise walls along Hwy 10 in Anoka would meet the necessary criteria to reduce noise for properties adjacent to the highway by at least five decibels.

Depending on location, the noise walls are 14 to 20-foot tall structures built with concrete panels and posts. The noise walls will be installed as part of the overall construction project, which is anticipated to begin in 2022.

For more information about traffic noise analysis and noise barriers, please visit MnDOT’s Noise webpage.

Community Noise Engagement meetings

As part of the environmental review of the Hwy 10 Rum River Bridge project, Community Noise Engagement meetings (CNE) were held to communicate the noise evaluation process to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The goals of these meetings were to:

  • Inform residents when MnDOT was conducting a noise analysis in their community
  • Provide two-way communication between the community and project team
  • Educate residents regarding the noise evaluation process
  • Review noise analysis methodology and results
  • Provide feedback to city council and communicate project information to neighborhood residents, including noise barrier voting information

Noise wall voting

MnDOT sent notices and noise wall ballots to people who are eligible to vote in the summer and fall of 2020. Only the property owners or residents who would experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls were allowed to vote on the walls.

Noise wall voting period began: Thu, Aug. 6, 2020
Noise wall voting meeting held: Thu, Aug. 13, 2020 from 5-6 p.m.
Noise wall voting period ended: Fri, Oct. 16, 2020

*If greater than 50 percent of the total eligible points are no votes then the noise wall is removed from the project.

Final voting tally (Oct. 19, 2020)

Wall 1

North of Hwy 10 between State Ave. and Ferry St. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 60
  • Yes Points: 38 (63%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will be built

Wall 2

North of Hwy 10 between Ferry St. and Maple Ave. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 18
  • Yes Points: 12 (67%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will be built

Wall 3

North of Hwy 10 between 5th Ave. and 6th Ave. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 25
  • Yes Points: 6 (24%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will NOT be built

Wall 4

South of Hwy 10 between State Ave. and Ferry St. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 93
  • Yes Points: 56 (60%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will be built

Wall 5

South of Hwy 10 along Maple Ln. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 51
  • Yes Points: 26 (51%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will be built

Wall 6

South of Hwy 10 between 4th Ave. and 7th Ave. in Anoka

  • Total eligible points: 141
  • Yes Points: 89 (63%)
  • No Points: 0 (0%)
  • Decision: Wall will be built

More information about noise wall voting

Only property owners and residents who will experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels can vote for or against the noise wall that provides the noise reduction.

Who is eligible to vote on whether a noise barrier should be constructed?

MnDOT sent notices and noise wall ballots to people who were eligible to vote. Only the property owners or residents who experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls were allowed to vote on the wall.

How does voting work?

If 50 percent or more of all possible voting points from eligible voters are received after the first request for votes, the majority of votes (based upon the votes received) determines the outcome. If less than 50 percent of the possible voting points for a wall are received after the first request, a second ballot will be mailed to the eligible voters who did not respond.

If 25 percent or more of all possible points for a barrier are received after the second request for votes, then the outcome is determined by the majority of votes received. If less than 25 percent of total possible points for a noise barrier are received after the second request for votes, then the barrier will NOT be constructed. If there is a tie, where there are equal numbers of points for and against a noise wall, the noise wall WILL be constructed.

What happens if I didn't vote?

If you don’t vote, the voting points assigned to you do not count for or against the noise wall.

How are the votes counted?

MnDOT uses a weighted voting system. Points are determined by how much your property or unit is affected by the noise wall and whether or not you own the property or unit. If a noise wall is voted down, it will not be reconsidered.

For more information about noise barriers, please visit the Noise analysis website.