Noise walls are solid obstructions built between the highway and properties along the highway designed to reduce the noise level of vehicles. These can be either berms or tall vertical walls. Constructing a noise wall must be feasible and reasonable. Feasibility and reasonableness are determined by cost, amount of noise reduction, safety, and site considerations.
MnDOT is proposing to construct or reconstruct three noise walls along I-494/I-35W as part of the I-494 project 2 improvements. Noise walls are designed to reduce traffic-related noise and improve the quality of life for nearby homes and businesses.
Only the property owners or residents who would experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls are allowed to vote on the walls. Ballots will be mailed to those households. The locations of these noise walls are:
Wall D (reconstruction and extension of existing noise wall): Southbound I-35W entrance ramp at 82nd St.
Wall E (replacement of existing noise wall – no voting required): Northbound I-35W between approximately West 84th St. and West 83rd St.
Wall H (new noise wall): North side of I-494 between East Bush Lake Rd. and West Bush Lake Rd.
For more information about traffic noise analysis and noise barriers, please visit MnDOT’s Noise webpage.
Noise wall voting for project 2 (2027-2030 construction)
MnDOT sent notices and noise wall ballots to people who were eligible to vote. Only the property owners or residents who experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls could vote on the walls.
Noise wall voting period begins: Thu, Oct. 30, 2025 Noise wall voting meeting: Wed, Nov. 12, 2025 from 5:30-7 p.m. (visit the meetings webpage for more details) Noise wall voting period ends: Fri, Nov. 28, 2025
*If greater than 50 percent of the total eligible points are no votes then the noise wall is removed from the project.
Voting tally
Wall D
Southbound I-35W entrance ramp at 82nd St.
Total eligible points: 120
Yes Points: 0 (0%)
No Points: 0 (0%)
Decision: TBD
Wall H
North side of I-494 between East Bush Lake Rd. and West Bush Lake Rd.
Total eligible points: TBD
Yes Points: 0 (0%)
No Points: 0 (0%)
Decision: TBD
More information about noise wall voting
Property owners and residents who will experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels can vote for or against the noise wall that provides the noise reduction.
Who is eligible to vote on whether a noise wall should be constructed?
MnDOT will send notices and noise wall ballots to people who are eligible to vote. Only the property owners or residents who experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls can vote on the wall.
How does voting work?
If 50 percent or more of all possible voting points from eligible voters are received after the first request for votes, the majority of votes (based upon the votes received) determines the outcome. If less than 50 percent of the possible voting points for a wall are received after the first request, a second ballot will be mailed to the eligible voters who did not respond.
If 25 percent or more of all possible points for a wall are received after the second request for votes, then the outcome is determined by the majority of votes received. If less than 25 percent of total possible points for a noise wall are received after the second request for votes, then the wall will NOT be constructed. If there is a tie, where there are equal numbers of points for and against a noise wall, the noise wall WILL be constructed.
What happens if I didn't vote?
If you don’t vote, the voting points assigned to you do not count for or against the noise wall.
How are the votes counted?
MnDOT uses a weighted voting system. Points are determined by how much your property or unit is affected by the noise wall and whether or not you own the property or unit. If a noise wall is voted down, it will not be reconsidered.
Traffic noise was studied along I-494. Specific results for the noise analysis is available within the Noise Report (see EA appendices).
Traffic noise along I-494 between East Bush Lake Rd. in Edina and 12th Ave. North in Richfield exceeds the state and federal noise standards at some locations. A previous noise study concluded that five noise walls along I-494 between Edina and Richfield would meet the necessary criteria to reduce noise for properties adjacent to I-494 by at least five decibels. The proposed noise walls are 20-foot tall structures built with concrete panels and posts that are being constructed during project 1. The locations of these noise walls are:
Wall 2: North side of I-494 between Penn Ave. South and Xerxes Ave. South
Wall 3: North side of I-494 between 4th Ave. South and 2nd Ave. South
Wall 4: North side of I-494 between 12th Ave. South and Portland Ave. South
Wall 5: North side of I-494 between Bloomington Ave. South and 12th Ave. South
Wall 13: North side of I-494 between Nicollet Ave. South and Wentworth Ave. South
Noise wall voting (completed in 2022)
MnDOT sent notices and noise wall ballots to people who were eligible to vote. Only the property owners or residents who experience a noise level reduction of at least five decibels from the proposed noise walls could vote on the walls.
Noise wall voting period began: Mon, April 25, 2022 Noise wall voting meeting: Wed, May 11, 2022 Noise wall voting period ended: Wed, May 25, 2022
*If greater than 50 percent of the total eligible points are no votes then the noise wall is removed from the project.
Final voting tally (as of July 2022)
Wall 1
South side of I-494 between East Bush Lake Rd. and Normandale Blvd.
Total eligible points: 153
Yes Points: 7 (5%)
No Points: 105 (69%)
Decision: Wall will NOT be built
Wall 2
North side of I-494 between Penn Ave. South and Xerxes Ave. South
Total eligible points: 138
Yes Points: 31 (22%)
No Points:60 (43%)
Decision: Modified Wall 2 will be built between Xerxes Ave. and Thomas Ave.)
Wall 3
North side of I-494 between 4th Ave. South and 2nd Ave. South
Total eligible points: 86
Yes Points: 52 (60%)
No Points: 0 (0%)
Decision: Wall will be built
Wall 4
North side of I-494 between 12th Ave. South and Portland Ave. South
Total eligible points: 356
Yes Points: 221 (62%)
No Points: 0 (0%)
Decision: Wall will be built
Wall 5
North side of I-494 between Bloomington Ave. South and 12th Ave. South
Total eligible points: 158
Yes Points: 98 (62%)
No Points: 11 (7%)
Decision: Modified Wall 5 will be built between 12th Ave. and 14th Ave.
Wall 13
North side of I-494 between Nicollet Ave. South and Wentworth Ave. South
