This project provides funds for the study and prioritization of noise abatement measures along publicly owned and maintained roads in Montgomery County, except freeways. Once the need and priority of the abatement measures are established, funding is provided for their design and construction.

Residents regularly request noise abatement measures along County and State roads. The purpose of this project is to respond to these requests in accordance with the Transportation Noise Abatement Policy. Requests would result in noise studies that would determine the need, whether the requested location meets the noise criteria for abatement measures, determination of its priority, and future design and construction. The Highway Noise Abatement Policy was developed by the Noise Abatement Task Force in 2001. The policy establishes criteria for evaluating the need for noise abatement along publicly maintained roads.

This project was conceived through the Noise Abatement Task Force that developed a policy and criteria for evaluating the need and appropriateness of requests for noise abatement along publicly maintained roads in Montgomery County. The project allows for the implementation of the policy established through this task force by providing funds for the study and prioritization of requests and the implementation of noise abatement measures. In FY22, DOT completed a re-evaluation and recommended maintaining the program.

Annual level of effort funding is provided to develop initial responses to community requests. Funding to complete studies beyond the current appropriation limit or for design and construction will be added as noise abatement projects are identified and recommended through this program. There may be contributions from impacted and benefited property owners in the future as specified in the policy. In FY12, $21,000 was transferred to Advance Reforestation (P500112). State aid includes a grant from the Maryland General Assembly in 2024.

A pedestrian impact analysis will be performed during design or is in progress. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Permitting Services, Maryland State Highway Administration