Project Manager Newsletter
August 2026
Hello everyone! Back to school is right around the corner along with apple season! I can’t wait to go to the orchard to pick apples for eating and baking. I hope you continue to soak up the remaining summer.
For the August newsletter, I will explain MnDOT’s noise voting process, which will begin this fall.
How MnDOT determines where noise walls go
First, we need to first determine if noise walls are feasible and reasonable to build. We consider building a noise wall feasible if:
- There are no physical and safety reasons why it cannot be constructed
- It reduces noise by at least 5 decibels
- One home or noise-sensitive property (also known as a benefitted receptor or unit) has a noise reduction of at least 7 decibels.
If these criteria are not met, a noise wall is no longer considered.
Feasibility and cost-effectiveness
If a noise wall is feasible, it must also be cost effective. We consider a noise wall cost effective if it costs no more than $78,500 per unit that will experience a 5-decibel or more reduction in noise.
Voting
Once a noise wall has been deemed feasible and cost effective, we use a voting process. Each property or housing unit that receives a 5-decibel or more reduction in sound is called a benefited unit and is eligible to vote. We use a weighted system to tally the votes. The number of points given depends on how close the property is to the noise wall.
Scenarios include:
- If the property abuts the noise wall, each benefited unit is allotted 6 points – the property owner receives 4 points and the resident receives 2 points. If the property owner is also the resident, they get all 6 points.
- If the property does not abut the noise wall, each benefited unit gets a total of 3 points – the property owner gets 2 points and the resident gets 1 point. If the property owner is also the residence, they get all 3 points.
- If the property is an apartment or condominium building, only residents with private outdoor balconies or patios and a potential noise reduction level of 5 or more decibels are eligible to vote. The property owner or homeowner’s association may get the owner’s voting points for all eligible units.
Businesses, churches, parks, and schools that would get the 5-decibel reduction for the noise wall may also vote on the outcome.
For more information on voting scenarios, please visit: Noise Requirements - Noise Analysis - MnDOT. Please note we are using the 2017 noise requirements for this project.
Voting conducted by mailed ballots
Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters, who typically have 30 days to submit their votes. The outcome is based on the following:
- If we receive 50% or more of possible voting points from eligible voters after the first request for votes, the majority of points determines the outcome.
- If there is a tie vote, the wall is built.
- If we receive less than 50% of voting points after the first request for votes, we will mail a second ballot to eligible voters who did not vote.
- If we receive 25% or more of possible voting points after the second request for votes, the outcome is determined by the majority of points received.
- If there is a tie vote, the noise wall is built.
- If we receive less than 25% of voting points, then the noise wall is not built.
For more information, please visit: Noise Barriers - Noise Analysis - MnDOT (please note the maximum cost per unit has increased due to material and labor costs)
Noise wall meetings
Noise wall voting along the corridor is scheduled to start this fall. Likely in October or November. If you live or own a benefited unit, you will be notified to join us for meetings this November and receive your voting ballot.
How can I comment on the DEIS?
MnDOT will post the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the project website for public review and comment in Fall 2026. Once it is published, the public comment period will begin. Community members will have several ways to provide feedback, including email, phone, online comment form, and community meetings. Stay tuned for updates and upcoming opportunities to participate as the comment period approaches. For more information about project progress to date, visit the project website.