I-55 Sound Wall An Old Issue In Darien

DARIEN, IL – A Darien alderwoman recently brought up the issue of a sound wall along Interstate 55 in Darien.

After Patch reported on her statement, some readers said they recalled an effort to get such a barrier in 2005.

Their memories were right.

Last week, City Administrator Bryon Vana, who took the helm two decades ago, sent City Council meeting minutes from 2005 to Patch.

"The discussion in 2005 was limited to a sound wall to minimize noise in areas along I-55," Vana said in an email. "The project never went forward since there was no funding, and it would have required a special service area."

A special service area is where nearby residents pay for a project through property taxes.

"I am not sure about (the Illinois Department of Transportation's) current noise wall plan, but it would be linked to any I-55 road widening though Darien," Vana said. "There is no currently funded IDOT plans to widen and construct a noise wall."

In a December 2005 meeting, a consultant presented information to the City Council about a sound wall.

At the time, Vana said residents would be surveyed to determine if they were interested in a special service area to pay for such a wall.

A city meeting was also held in 2003 about the sound wall.

At the time, a state Department of Transportation official said the state was not expected to expand the expressway in the next five years.

Local officials considered asking then-U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, a Republican, to help get money for a sound wall project.

Two weeks ago, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said a recent shooting on I-55 demonstrated the need for a sound wall to protect local neighborhoods.