Walt Smith Way residents ask Vandalia council to study sound barrier along I‑75 after clearing of trees

Two residents asked the Vandalia City Council on May 5 to look into installing a sound‑barrier wall along I‑75 near Walt Smith Way after recent tree clearing removed a longstanding buffer.

Richard James of 697 Walt Smith Way told council he and neighbors are now exposed to highway noise after nearby woods were cleared for new construction. “The noise has gotten three times as loud as it was before we moved in,” James said, and he asked whether the city had plans to install a sound barrier similar to walls he observed near other neighborhoods along the I‑75 corridor.

Linda Davis, who identified herself as living at 701 Walt Smith Way, said the developer had promised a wall when her neighborhood was built and that a wall was not installed after development was completed.

City staff explained that right‑of‑way and highway noise mitigation commonly involve the Ohio Department of Transportation because ODOT maintains the interstate. Staff also noted the adjacent parcels north of the neighborhood are largely industrial property with interstate frontage, which complicates providing a continuous barrier. Assistant [team] manager Rob Kron told the residents city staff would take their contact information and follow up to investigate options.

Council did not take formal action on the matter at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with the resident who spoke and to look into the area and any developer commitments recorded in city files. The transcript records that Rob Kron agreed to obtain contact information and perform a follow up with Mr. James before he left the meeting.