House bill to create MDOT noise‑abatement account draws residents' testimony after I‑75 reconstruction

Representative Andrew Robinson presented House Bill 4,084 to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, describing a proposal to create a state program and account to build and maintain highway sound walls to reduce traffic noise for nearby neighborhoods.

"This bill creates a state program to help build and maintain sound walls along highways to reduce traffic noise in nearby neighborhoods," Robinson told the committee, adding that the Michigan Department of Transportation "would run the program, MDOT can build or repair sound walls itself, or give money in the form of grants or loans to local road authorities like cities or counties." Robinson emphasized the bill "creates an account" and does not itself appropriate funds: "This isn't about a fund. This is merely to create an account."

Robinson said MDOT would create a scoring system to allocate grants, based on factors including number of people benefiting, current noise level, expected noise reduction, project readiness and cost. He cited health concerns from prolonged exposure to roadway noise and offered decibel context during his presentation: "If you're 50 feet away from the highway, it's 75 to 80 decibels…a hundred feet, it's 65 to 75 decibels…from 200 feet, it's 55 to 65 decibels…recommended thresholds are less than 55 decibels for outdoor residentials and 40 decibels…is ideal for sleep and recovery."

The committee took a string of public‑record Zoom testimonies from residents affected by noise after the I‑75 reconstruction. Lorraine Skussel, speaking for a citizens' group in Troy, said the group formed after the project and collected roughly 1,000 petition signatures while seeking mitigation. "It took us about 6 months to even find anyone who would listen and consider our situation," Skussel said. She told lawmakers MDOT approved two sound‑wall segments for the area but that multiple other qualifying sections lacked funds. Skussel said MDOT estimated roughly $10 million for two approved walls (one a mile, the other a half‑mile); she said additional approved sections had no available funding and that residents had waited multiple years for relief.

Other residents echoed the testimony: Tom Miller said the new I‑75 reconstruction is "so much louder than the last one," and Susan Baloney described lost ability to enjoy outdoor space and concern about long‑term health effects from the increased noise. A caller said removal of trees during reconstruction and different pavement materials contributed to higher sound levels.

Committee members questioned administration and scope. Representative Anders asked whether nonresidential uses near highways—such as a park or ballfield—should factor into scoring; Robinson agreed that criteria could be broadened to account for community uses that draw people. Representative Cara asked whether creating an account imposes a budgetary constraint on MDOT; Robinson said the bill merely creates the account and that future appropriations would determine the size of the fund. Representative Brock asked whether MDOT would create the scoring rules and whether locals would have input; Robinson said MDOT would design the criteria with local input and stressed transparency and oversight in scoring.

No appropriation was attached to the bill at the committee hearing, and no committee vote occurred; residents urged passage of the enabling language so MDOT could administer future funding if provided.

Ending: Committee members indicated further review and local outreach; sponsor said constituents were expected to provide additional testimony in subsequent hearings.