Allesandro Street: Existing Retaining Walls Will Enhance Prison-Like Effect Of Proposed Sound Walls For 2 Freeway

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April13, 2013.  A retaining wall for the 2 Freeway, ranging in height between 6' to 9' stretches between Rosebud Ave & almost to Whitmore along the propose path of the sound walls for the 2 Freeway Terminus Project.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

What's been missing from the discussions with the community is the sense of scale of the proposed sound walls between Oak Glen and Rosebud. 

CalTrans plans to remove all the trees above the retaining wall.  The retaining wall will remain in place.  A sound wall will be built somewhere on the slope above the retaining wall, most likely at grade with the freeway: a good 15' above the top of the retaining wall.  (CalTrans has not been forthcoming with concrete plans for the sound walls.)

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 13, 2013.  A wall of trees will be replaced with a wall of concrete which one day might have some ivy growing on it.  CalTrans has repeated often, trees will not be planted after the walls are built. 

There is no question that the people who live directly adjacent to the freeway deserve some sort of sound protection.  However, permanently removing 4/10ths of a mile of trees, not only visually impacts the neighborhood, it also impacts the physical & psychological health of those living nearby. 

CalTrans admits the range of the sound walls is very limited.  And if you are above the sound walls - which most homes in the area are - including those just 2 homes away from Allesandro - the sound walls will not help you.  When we suggested installing soundproofing in those adjacent homes as they did in South Pasadena along the Gold Line (in response to a lawsuit), elected officials did not welcome the idea. 

Community Meeting

State Route 2 Freeway Terminus Redesign Update
Metro/CalTrans

 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

6 - 8 PM

 

Mayberry Elementary School Auditorium

2414 Mayberry St

Silver Lake , 90026

info: (213) 922-3010

 

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