The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) proposes the Chester Noise Abatement Project to reduce the impact of roadway noise for people living near Interstate 95 in the City of Chester and Chester Township, Delaware County.
In association with an upcoming project to transform the southbound shoulder of I-95 into a flex travel lane in this area, PennDOT proposes the design and installation of noise walls along sections of I-95 between Highland Avenue and the I-95 bridge over Ridley Creek.
Affected property owners and tenants will be asked to vote on each section of the project. Each section will only move forward if a majority of those affected vote “yes.” PennDOT’s Project Team will be conducting public outreach in the potential noise wall areas.
Highway noise is reduced by constructing a wall or barrier to shield nearby properties from traffic noise. Noise walls block the direct travel of sound waves, reducing the impact of highway noise on nearby communities. They may also block the view of the highway and provide some separation between the highway and neighboring properties. This project seeks to reduce the amount of highway noise reaching nearby neighborhoods.
PennDOT will design and install noise walls in phases, beginning with those that can be built without buying property, complex engineering approaches, or impacting other transportation projects. PennDOT will start with noise wall locations that have fewer engineering challenges so they can be built sooner, if selected.
Phase One noise walls will be built along 12th Street between Madison Street and Melrose Avenue in the City of Chester,shown in the map to the right. The adjacent community voted overwhelmingly for noise walls in late 2024. Phase One construction is anticipated to begin in early 2028 and finish by the end of 2029.
The schedules for future phases of noise walls will be developed based on the resolution of other locations’ engineering design challenges and the coordination with other projects along the corridor. PennDOT is completing technical work on the more
complicated sections of the project.
PennDOT will engage with local partners, property owners, and tenants in the proposed noise wall areas to inform them of noise reduction plans and find out if they want noise walls. Property owners and tenants will have a say on the wall’s appearance on the community-facing side.
Your voice is important to the success of this project for the community. Click the button at the top of this page or visit the Sector C Contact Us page to sign up for Sector C email updates and submit a message through the contact form. You may also email us at info@95revive.com with any questions or concerns.
