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Last chance approaching for Highway 85 noise reduction
By Steve Enders
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is set to dole out funding on June 29 for the county's Measure B transportation improvement program and, unfortunately for some living near Highway 85, it doesn't look as though noise abatement is going to make it onto the county's list of things to do.
That's not to say it can't happen--there's still a glimmer of hope for those hoping the county will fund a pilot noise reduction program, and the city of Saratoga and Supervisor Joe Simitian are still encouraging citizens to let the board know how they feel by the June 29 meeting.
Jeff Davis, a representative from the county on Measure B, addressed the City Council June 16 and said Simitian received a number of requests from residents to fund the Highway 85 noise abatement program at a meeting in Mountain View earlier this month.
After hearing Davis' report, the council instructed City Manager Larry Perlin to draft another letter and send it to the board, strongly outlining the city's desires to fund the pilot project.
According to the Measure B Base Case report, which Davis spoke about at the meeting, no funding exists in the plan at this time for curing noise problems on the highway. However, it does recognize the desire of many to fund the project, and acknowledges a possible opportunity to fund a pilot program. It does, however, recommend the county continue in discussions with affected jurisdictions only, and not attempt to fund the project.
Many were hoping that it would get done under Measure A funding instead, which specifically called for safety improvements on Highway 85. Since the median has been built, however, the county claims it addressed the safety issue already even though some leftover money remains.
But a pilot program would be a great start, according to those fighting against the noise, including former Saratoga Mayor Karen Tucker, who also spoke at last week's council meeting and urged citizens to write the board.
Neighbors along the corridor of Highway 85--the six-mile section that seemingly dips below sea level and passes between high sound walls--have been trying to get the county to do something about the noise generated by cars on the grooved pavement there for nearly five years.
The cities of Cupertino and Saratoga have officially chimed in as well, urging the county to help those living in the affected areas.
The efforts culminated in a noise study conducted in 1996 when Caltrans commissioned a private company to look into noise mitigation. The results showed that it could happen by reducing drivers' speed to 55 mph, or funding expensive rubberized-asphalt overlays and sound wall noise absorption materials.
Measure B was a 1 1/2 cent sales tax approved by voters in 1996 for general county use in transportation projects. About $561 million is waiting to be spent on these projects, another of which includes a light rail line serving the West Valley through Campbell to Los Gatos.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
