Specialty and competitive programs
Standalone Noise Barrier Program (Greater Minnesota)
The Standalone Noise Barrier Program provides funding for construction of noise barriers along state highways in areas where no noise abatement measures currently exist and no major construction projects are currently programmed. The majority of the residential units that would benefit from a noise barrier must have been constructed prior to 1997.
MnDOT uses a solicitation to select standalone noise barrier projects. Interested cities apply for funding and provide information about the area where a noise barrier is being requested. MnDOT then conducts a noise study and scores the applications.
Applications are scored out of 100 points based on a calculation of Intensity Adjusted Cost Effectiveness. This calculation is based on the cost of the noise barrier, the number of residential units that will receive at least 5 decibels of noise reduction, and the existing noise level compared to the federal threshold.
Any noise barriers constructed under this program must meet the criteria for feasibility, reasonableness, and cost effectiveness identified the MnDOT’s 2017 Noise Requirements.