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Residents tell Mount Shasta commission Caltrans paving, chip‑seal increase highway noise
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission that recent Caltrans repaving and local chip seal treatments have increased roadway noise near Highway 5 and Pine Street; one resident reported app readings up to 85 dB and urged staff to follow up with Caltrans.
At the public hearing on the noise element, several residents asked the city to investigate recent roadway and Caltrans work that they said has increased traffic noise. Johanna, a Mount Shasta resident, said Caltrans regrading and new paving material on Interstate 5 made the highway "in fact louder" and reported decibel readings she recorded "up to 85" during summer months.
"The new material is in fact louder," Johanna said, and she suggested the city follow up with Caltrans about mitigation such as a berm or other noise‑reduction measures. She also flagged local chip seal on Pine Street as noisier than older surfaces and urged the planning department to verify whether 2021 study conditions still reflect current roadway materials.
Planning Director Kim acknowledged the concern and said staff would consider the comment as they revise the draft and could follow up with Caltrans to clarify resurfacing materials and potential mitigation. Kim reminded the commission that the noise element documents existing conditions and that project‑level analysis would address site‑specific mitigation when developments propose changes.
