A noise study describing average decibel levels from Anthony Henday Drive as within the province’s guidelines isn’t sitting well with Mayor Nolan Crouse, but he admits there is little he can do about it.
Released to the media this week, the report from Acoustical Consultants Inc., measured noise levels at specific points along the northwest section of the ring road from Highway 16 to Manning Drive. The report also used that data to predict future noise levels into the year 2040.
According to the results, every single monitoring station along the route, measured sound that, averaged over a 24-hour period, fell below the 65-decibel average level required by the province. The sound of normal conversation is typically measured at 60 decibels.
Several sound monitors were placed in St. Albert residents’ backyards, especially in neighbourhoods such as Heritage Lakes, Akinsdale and Grandin, which back onto the Henday. It was due to potential noise problems that the Henday’s route was moved east, which led to the demolition of Newman Theological College.
Crouse’s concern isn’t with the findings so much as the methodology. He pointed out that, while the 24-hour average showed a noise level below 65 decibels, the report showed there were times of the day when readings were in excess of that number. The problem, says the mayor, is those readings aren’t reflected in the average.
“I’m not surprised at all by the results, but part of me said the standard doesn’t work on major highways along residential neighbourhoods,” Crouse said. “I’ve used the line a few times in my life that, if you have one foot in boiling water and one foot in ice water, on average it’s OK, and it’s no different here. The average is fine but you’re uncomfortable in the noisy time.”
The findings mean the province won’t do any sound attenuation, such as planting trees, along the Henday’s right-of-way.
Bill van der Meer, project manager for the Edmonton ring road with Alberta Transportation, said the mayor’s inference is correct.
“The average over the day and over the night is way less,” van der Meer said. “At daytime it’s below that average that we get at night.”
The study is standard practice after a major road is built, van der Meer explained. Pre-construction, the province uses noise modelling to predict potential impacts on nearby homes. This recent study, he said, confirms the findings of noise modelling conducted in 2005/2006.
“The first one was a computer model only and this one is actual measurements,” van der meer said.
Despite his misgivings, Crouse said there is little more that he or the city can do. Having the alignment moved took a significant amount of political capital and work. Trying to get the province to change its noise standards is not something the city can do.
“I think the province has the responsibility to lead the way on these things,” Crouse said. “I think what the residents need to be able to do is, when there are concerns, inform the province.”
“It would be a huge undertaking and it’s not something one mayor of one municipality can do.”
