Peace of the action: Noise mitigation for Medlow Bath homes on the upgrade route
Medlow Bath residents identified as being impacted by increased traffic noise once the Great Western Highway upgrade is complete will be offered early noise mitigation for their homes to minimise the impacts of construction on their families.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said at-property noise mitigation measures were usually implemented towards the end of a road project to reduce the impact of increased traffic noise once the project had been completed.
“For this project Transport for NSW is working towards reducing the impact on residents during construction as well, which should help affected property owners,” Mr Lunn said.
“Transport for NSW has written to Medlow Bath property owners identified as being most impacted by future traffic noise to offer them early access to noise mitigation measures.
“These properties were identified through noise modelling carried out as part of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) process.
“Of course, it is entirely up to identified property owners to choose if, and when, noise mitigation measures are installed at their homes.
“The first step is to speak with affected property owners about ways to minimise noise impacts during and after construction of the highway upgrade.
“Transport has engaged specialists to help and provide owners with expert guidance about the best ways to treat their property. They are already speaking with Medlow Bath residents to begin a preliminary evaluation of impacted properties.”
Approved mitigation measures are applied to habitable rooms which face the source of the noise. They can include acoustic sealing to close gaps, sealed window frames and thicker laminated glass, alternate ventilation including ceiling vents, replacement of window frames and door upgrades. There is no cost to the homeowner.
“Every home is different and we can only determine the right mitigation measures for each property after a full investigation by the specialists,” Mr Lunn said.
“Following a preliminary evaluation of the property, the specialists will organise a one-on-one meeting with the owner to discuss the options and measure up for the necessary treatments.
“We will always make sure the property owner’s preferences are taken into consideration.”
Early noise mitigation measures will be offered to all Blue Mountains and Hartley Valley residents impacted by future phases of the Great Western Highway upgrade.
Together, the Australian and NSW Governments have committed more than $2.5 billion towards the East and West sections of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow, respectively.
Early work on the Medlow Bath section of the upgrade is scheduled to start in late 2022.
For more information on the project, visit the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program page.