Petition To Stop I-78 Noise Pollution Started By Warren Man

WARREN, NJ — John Rau has lived in Warren Township for the past 15 years and until recently he has never experienced such loud noise pollution coming from I-78.

"The sound from [Interstate] 78 for me is overwhelming... There are times when we can hear it in the house and I am a mile away," said Rau. "For some people, this is a constant for them. There is no escaping it."

Since moving to Warren in 2007, Rau said the noise of the highway has grown exponentially to the point that he can no longer enjoy being outdoors.

"I enjoy being in my backyard. I am always gardening. I built a 500-square-foot patio with my own hands. I am outside all the time," said Rau. "Now I can't have company over… if we do we need to put music on to drown out the constant hum and noise from 78."

Rau who is located off Indian Rock Road is a mile away from the interstate but still hears the sounds of the cars and trucks buzzing by.

Rau attributes the recent change in the sound to the uptick in development in the township.

"My theory is they are cutting trees of dense woodlands which serves as a natural sound barrier," said Rau.

To try to remedy the situation, Rau has reached out to the New Jersey Department of Transportation to conduct a noise study in hopes it would prompt them to build noise barrier walls. However, there was no luck there.

"NJDOT does not have any plans to conduct a noise study," said NJDOT Public Information Officer Brian Ahrens. "Consistent with the NJDOT Noise Policy, as well as federal guidelines, noise studies are only conducted for projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration that involve major construction, such as the construction of a new highway or the addition of new lanes to an existing highway. NJDOT currently has no plans for major construction that would require a noise analysis on I-78 in Warren Township."

With that roadblock, Rau reached out to township officials for help.

Mayor George Lazo sent a letter to NJDOT at the end of March regarding concerns from residents about the noise emanating from I-78.

"In 1986, the Warren Township Committee commissioned its own noise study and has advocated for nearly a decade for the installation of Type Il sound barriers on 1-78. At the time 1-78 was designed and constructed in the 1970's, Warren was a rural community with many active farms. As a result of the conditions at that time, noise barriers were not included in the original project. Today, Warren Township has over 5,500 households and an additional 1,100 households will be constructed in the next 5 years as a result of the Township's Affordable Housing Plan approved by the courts. Warren is no longer a rural community. The Township residents deserve the benefits of sound barriers to reduce noise impacts from the interstate highway system," Lazo wrote in his letter.

Lazo said he has not received a response from NJDOT as of June 4. He added that the township has been told in the past that the NJDOT's position has always been not to conduct the study, "but we have to try and push for our residents nonetheless."

To bring more attention to this issue, Rau launched a petition. He is hoping to get enough signatures to then pass onto Governor Phil Murphy and any local legislatures. Rau invites residents not just in Warren but surrounding areas affected by the noise to join his cause.

For more information or to sign the petition click here.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.