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Residents complain of loud rumble strips on Caledonia Road; county engineer proposes painting to reduce noise
Summary
Public commenters and nearby residents told the Boone County Finance Committee the new transverse rumble strips at Caledonia Road produce excessive noise; the county engineer presented a noise study showing readings of 78–82 decibels and recommended adding a paint lift to reduce sound levels, and board members supported trying mitigation and asked staff to report back.
Steve Higgins, a Belvedere resident, told the Boone County Finance Committee that neighbors appreciate recent tree removal and a new four-way stop on Caledonia Road but are “universally displeased” with the noise from newly-installed rumble strips and asked the county to remove or reduce the noise as soon as feasible.
Bill Brunner, who lives across the street from Higgins, said he can hear the rumble strips from inside his home when the wind is from the west, calling the sound “a constant problem.” Both speakers urged the county to act to restore “peace and quiet” for nearby residents while retaining safety improvements.
Justin (the highway engineering official) presented the county’s noise study and explained that transverse rumble strips installed April 21 produced measured levels of about 78–82 decibels at Caledonia Road, with the south side averaging 78 dB and the north side averaging 82 dB. He contrasted those readings with previously installed “mumble” strips on other county roads that measured in the mid-70s dB.
The engineer said the strips at Caledonia are shallower than the published Illinois standard and that adding another lift of paint in the rumble strip grooves would reduce the measured decibel reading to the low- to mid-70s — a reduction that staff expects would bring the site in line with other local installations. He also explained that perceived annoyance depends partly on pattern inconsistency and wind conditions.
Board members asked technical questions about pattern, depth and paint options. Several members signaled support for allowing staff to proceed with painting the grooves to reduce depth and noise and asked the engineer to follow up with implementation details and a brief report at the next meeting. No formal motion was required or taken; staff said they would move forward absent objections.
What happens next: County highway staff will apply a paint lift to the Caledonia rumble strips as a trial mitigation measure and will report back to the committee with measured results and any additional recommendations.
