Autumn Glen residents closer to getting sound barrier, says Shackleford

INDIANAPOLIS – Residents of the Autumn Glen neighborhood are moving closer to getting a sound barrier that will help protect the community from the constant noise of traffic along Interstate 70, thanks to the efforts of State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) and a group of committed advocates from the area. After years of debate and negotiations, Shackleford said today that she has received assurances from officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that a sound barrier would be constructed along I-70 from Grassy Creek to German Church Road sometime in 2018 at an estimated cost of $700,000. The next step toward installation would be completion of an environmental study sometime in 2017.

“Why is a sound barrier needed? Just go over to Autumn Glen during rush hour and look for yourself…or should I say, listen for yourself,” Shackleford said. “There are times during the day where you cannot hear yourself think or do anything, either outside or indoors. I fail to see why any homeowner should have to tolerate such conditions, and while it has taken a while to get the state to understand our concerns, I am delighted that this project is gaining support.”

Area residents have been pursuing a barrier for close to a decade.

“I cannot say enough about the persistence of the folks who live in Autumn Glen,” Shackleford noted. “They signed petitions, wrote letters to elected officials, made phone calls and sent in e-mails. Led by the example of Dorothy Grunemeyer, the former president of the Autumn Glen Homeowners Association, they simply would not take no for an answer.”

The situation improved when many residents began contacting Shackleford, who got in touch with INDOT officials, particularly Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson, and found that previous attempts to get the barrier installed were foiled by faulty data that incorrectly indicated residents were unsure about the need for the structure.

“I am very appreciative that INDOT and Commissioner Hendrickson were willing to keep an open mind about this project, and now they are willing to put the full weight of the agency behind its completion,” Shackleford said. “These are all positive moves, but I will note that we still have to follow several steps before the barrier becomes a reality, since it will take both an environmental study and legislative approval to secure the funding needed to complete the work,” Shackleford said. “I know the people of Autumn Glen well enough to know that they will not rest until that barrier is in place. I know I won’t.”