Congresswoman Nikema Williams Reintroduces Legislation to Give Communities More Control to Address Highway Noise

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) reintroduced the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act, legislation to give communities the ability to build noise barriers along existing federal interstate highways. Currently, federal funds cannot be used for noise barriers. 

The Negating Neighborhood Noise Act allows Highway Trust Fund dollars to be used to build noise barriers in residential areas built before the interstates that are now impacting them. Communities will also have the power to create noise barriers that are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for dual purposes, such as hosting broadband infrastructure or solar panels. Highways I-20, I-75, I-85, and I-285 are some of the loudest, most disruptive interstates in the country and all run through neighborhoods in Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. 

Congresswoman Williams introduced similar legislation in the 117^th Congress. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) is co-leading the introduction of the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act. 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“Constituents and elected officials have made it clear: we must address the residential disruptions caused by congested highways. The Negating Neighborhood Noise Act is a simple solution that allows existing federal resources to be used for desperately needed noise barriers. This is exactly how infrastructure investments should be made: tailored to the needs of communities. It is my hope that the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act will bring relief from the noise and air pollution that burdens communities near our interstate highways.” 

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) said: 

“Every American knows how disruptive traffic noise is for children learning in schools, parents working in offices, and families relaxing at home. Many of my constituents in Southwest Connecticut are nestled next to I-95 and intimately familiar with how aggravating highway noise can be. That’s why I’m pleased to re-introduce the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act alongside my colleague, Congresswoman Williams, which will allocate federal dollars to the construction of noise barriers along federal-aid highways and bring peace of mind to Americans living near major thoroughfares everywhere.”

City of East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham said: 

“Residents in East Point neighborhoods have been inundated with constant noise from highways constructed near their homes without any noise barriers for decades. This constant noise pollution negatively impacts their quality of life on a daily basis. It is imperative that the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act pass with a sense of urgency to provide necessary funding that will eliminate noise pollution and enhance the quality of life of our residents.”

City of Hapeville Mayor Alan Hallman said: 

“The City of Hapeville has been struggling with the effects of Interstate Highway noise from Interstate 85 for decades. Growth and expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and general growth in the region has increased the volume of traffic, thus increasing the noise issues for our residents along Interstate 85. The City of Hapeville supports the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act, as we feel that this bill will assist smaller cities like Hapeville by providing the resources to construct noise barriers that will help mitigate the noise issues that increased interstate traffic volume has caused for many of our established neighborhoods.”

Click here for the text of the Negating Neighborhood Noise Act. 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as co-chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams is committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

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