Transportation: funds; funding for sound wall projects; provide for. Amends 1951 PA 51 (MCL 247.651 - 247.675) by adding sec. 14b.
The establishment of a noise barrier program could significantly enhance living conditions for residents residing near state highways by mitigating highway noise pollution. The bill mandates the creation of a noise barrier fund within the state treasury to support this initiative. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Transportation to consult with relevant transportation stakeholders to set up a review process for applications, which will include detailed criteria for project evaluation such as cost-effectiveness and number of residential units benefiting from noise reduction.
House Bill 5395 seeks to amend 1951 PA 51, which governs the classification of public roads and transportation funding in Michigan. The primary objective of this bill is to establish a noise barrier program that will provide funding for the construction of noise barriers along state trunk line highways in areas currently lacking these structures. This program is intended to assist local road authorities by either constructing noise barriers at their request or offering them grants or loans to fund such construction.
The bill also stipulates annual reporting by the department to relevant legislative committees on the utilization of the noise barrier program, ensuring accountability and transparency. This includes providing information on the number of applications received and the status of each application, thus facilitating ongoing legislative oversight of the program's efficacy and scope.
While supporters of HB 5395 emphasize the necessity of reducing highway noise for community welfare, potential points of contention may arise concerning funding allocation and the criteria for approving noise barrier projects. The bill empowers local road authorities to submit applications for funding; however, the decision on approvals is at the discretion of the state department. There might be concerns regarding equitable access to the noise barrier fund and whether certain regions, particularly those with fewer resources, may be disadvantaged in obtaining needed funding.