Saratoga News

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Caltrans signs contract for 85 noise study

Caltrans has signed a contract with Acentech of Canoga Park, a consulting firm, to do a noise-abatement study of Highway 85.

The study, to be completed by June 30, instructs Acentech to "conduct a thorough literature search of transportation-related noise reduction technologies applicable to the reduction of highway-generated noise on Highway 85."

If Santa Clara County transportation Measures A and B, passed in November, are upheld after legal challenges, some $9 million could be used to implement noise reduction measures in a six-mile test corridor, said Joan Hershkowitz, co-chair of the Saratoga-based Route 85 Noise Abatement Committee, which has pushed for solutions to Highway 85's noise problem.

The test strip would start at the southern border of Saratoga and end at Stevens Creek Boulevard.

"We were told many times that nothing could be done about the excessive noise from Highway 85, but we never agreed with that assessment, and we continued to press for this study and for action on the study's findings," Hershkowitz said.

She added, "With the constant aid and leadership of Assemblyman Jim Cunneen and his staff and with the continuing support of the Saratoga and Cupertino city councils, we are hopeful that our communities will not have to suffer from the noise pollution from Route 85 at its present level for too much longer."

Leafblower issue is not dead after all

The leaf-blower debate may cause more noise at City Hall in the near future, but it will be the sound of ringing telephones.

Councilman Jim Shaw has asked that a discussion on how best to survey residents' opinions about the noisy yard maintenance machines be scheduled for the March 5 City Council meeting. Shaw said last week that after consideration, he felt the council had been too quick to rely on past surveys when they decided not to act on a resident's suggestion to ban gasoline-powered leaf-blowers or restrict their use.

Shaw suggested an announcement in local newspapers asking for residents' thoughts on the issue, and City Manager Harry Peacock said it might be possible to set up a hot line for residents to log their opinions.

The council discussed the subject of leaf-blowers on Feb. 11, but decided not to make any changes with respect to their use in Saratoga and to rely on the city's noise ordinance instead. Shaw said he'd like the city to attempt to see if the subject is one whose time has come--again.