To lessen the impact of highway traffic noise on adjacent communities, noise walls were constructed or replaced at select locations on I-66 East and West between the Dulles Connector Road and Fairfax Drive/Glebe Road (Exit 71). Noise wall eligibility was based on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) criteria. Multiple factors determined whether noise walls were feasible and reasonable and where they would be installed, including noise analyses, design plans, and traffic studies. Learn more about Virginia’s State Noise Abatement Policy and noise walls here. 

Existing Noise Walls

If a community had a noise wall prior to the project, it remained. Existing dilapidated noise walls within the project limits were replaced with new noise walls. Replacement walls of the same height or higher than existing walls were installed. When a noise wall was removed, work continued until replacement. Newly installed noise walls were composed of simulated stacked stone façade on both the roadway and residential sides, closely matching the existing concrete noise barrier on I-66 West between the Washington Boulevard on-ramp and the Dulles Connector Road (shown in the photo above).

New Noise Walls - Voting and Construction

Based on the final noise analysis report, benefitted property owners (and tenants, where appropriate) were mailed letters and ballots from VDOT in early February 2019 with instructions for voting. Returned ballots supported construction of all proposed new noise walls except Barrier D1 and D2. Construction of the approved new noise wall sections then began. Residents of properties adjacent to where new noise wall was planned were contacted before construction began. See the table below for timeline and status for each section of noise wall that was built.

The results of the noise wall vote are available in the addendum to the final noise report.

Final Noise Analysis Report

The project team conducted a noise analysis of the final project design to determine whether new noise walls were feasible and reasonable. Find a copy of the report here.

The final noise analysis report includes map diagrams showing property-level detail and proposed noise wall locations.

This presentation provides background information on noise walls, the voting process, and locations identified as eligible for new noise wall.

VDOT Noise Wall Process at a Glance

Noise Wall Locations and Schedule

Construction of new and replacement ground-mounted noise wall finished in September 2020. Two replacement noise walls on I-66 westbound bridges (over Williamsburg Boulevard and Westmoreland Street) were completed in October 2020. 

Resources