Researcher: SM Page 1 4/1/25
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 7057
AN ACT CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION OF SOUND BARRIERS
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), by
October 1, 2025, to (1) develop, and later revise as needed, a funding
schedule for constructing noise barriers for Type II projects (i.e. retrofit
projects) and (2) fund construction according to this schedule. The
funding schedule must be based on the department’s existing priority
list for these noise barriers. The bill also requires DOT to publish the
schedule and status of each construction project on its website.
A “Type II project” is generally a federal or federal-aid highway
project for noise abatement on an existing highway (see
BACKGROUND).
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Noise Barriers
State and federal regulation and policy separate noise barriers into
two types, based on whether they are associated with an existing or new
source of noise. Under federal regulations, noise barriers must mitigate
increased traffic noise exceeding allowable levels resulting from new
highway or bridge construction or reconstruction (i.e. Type I projects).
The federal government generally pays most of the noise barrier costs
as part of the approved project. Federal regulations allow federal funds
to be used for retrofitting an area with noise barriers (i.e. Type II
projects) if a state adopts a Type II program that includes a federally
approved priority ranking system (23 C.F.R. § 772.7).
2025HB-07057-R000402-BA.DOCX
Researcher: SM Page 2 4/1/25
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 35 Nay 0 (03/12/2025)