This bill would change a 1995 highway law to allow federal highway money to be used for certain Type II noise barriers. It creates three exceptions to the current ban: (A) the barrier was not part of a project approved before November 28, 1995; (B) the barrier is proposed along land that was developed or under substantial construction before approval of the highway right-of-way or the highway was built; or (C) the barrier separates a highway or noise corridor from a group of structures where most of the structures closest to the highway are residential and at least 10 years old when the barrier is proposed. The bill also makes these Type II barriers eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds for planning, design, preservation, or construction.
The bill requires that a noise barrier built or preserved with these funds may be a multipurpose noise barrier. A multipurpose barrier can host secondary beneficial uses such as renewable energy generation, electrical transmission and distribution, or broadband infrastructure and conduit. A State may approve secondary uses on a noise barrier within a federal-aid highway right-of-way on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation. Project sponsors must consider the aesthetics of proposed noise barriers consistent with the latest Federal Highway Administration Noise Barrier Design Handbook.
The bill allows use of the Highway Trust Fund and Surface Transportation Block Grant funds for eligible Type II noise barrier projects. No publicly available information on estimated costs or projected federal spending amounts is included in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.