COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a north Columbus neighborhood, residents who live behind Interstate 71, north of Interstate 270, are frustrated by the sounds of the highway that have infiltrated their lives for the last two years.
In November 2022, a large part of the sound barrier that backs up to the neighborhood was damaged in a crash and has yet to be repaired.
Marilyn and Bruce Frank said they have tried several measures to try and reduce the impact of the sound.
“Earplugs, styrofoam in the windows, we just don't entertain on our deck anymore because you can't hear people talk,” they said.
The highway is just behind the woods in their backyard, and it is not just the noise that has caused problems.
“It is like a strobe light outside of your house. It is pretty cumbersome to say the least,” Bruce said.
Mark Albright is looking to sell his home where he has lived since the 80s and is worried the noise level could impact the home’s value.
“Occasionally on the weekends you'll have a bunch of people riding motorcycles up and down drag racing out there, but it just makes it hard,” Albright said.
Neighbors shared emails they sent to ODOT in April 2023 and April 2024, and said they were never given an answer on when it would be repaired.
A representative for ODOT told 10TV, “This location will be replaced as part of an ongoing noise wall repair project that covers various locations on I-71 and I-270. The noise wall sections have been ordered, upon delivery it will be installed by our contractor.”
The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year, depending on when the materials are received.
“I’d like to have them come out and do it as quickly as possible,” Albright said.