What does CDOT consider “feasible and reasonable”?
A noise barrier must be both feasible and reasonable if it is to be constructed with a highway project. Feasibility and reasonableness are determined by criteria that are quantifiable but flexible, and judgments for special and/or unusual circumstances are made on a case-by-case basis. As a result, noise mitigation is not automatically provided where noise impacts have been identified. A barrier is feasible if it can be constructed without major engineering or safety issues and provide a substantial noise reduction to the adjacent receivers. Reasonableness deals with whether or not the barrier can be constructed in a cost-effective manner, the percentage of residential-type development, overall noise levels and noise level increases, and the desires of the community.
