Statement of Purpose

We, the undersigned residents, homeowners, and community members residing adjacent to the M-53 (Van Dyke) Freeway, urgently petition public transportation authorities and elected officials to construct continuous, sound-absorptive noise mitigation walls along residential zones bordering M-53.

Background & Justification

The volume of  trucking, freight transit, and commuter traffic along the M-53 corridor has steadily intensified, generating sustained decibel levels that severely impact neighboring residential communities. High-velocity highway noise is not simply an inconvenience—it is an unmitigated environmental and public health hazard:

 Severe Health Risks: Chronic exposure to high traffic noise levels (exceeding 55–65 dB) triggers elevated cortisol and stress responses. Peer-reviewed medical literature directly links prolonged exposure to highway noise with elevated rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep disruption, anxiety, and impaired cognitive development in children.

 Depreciated Property Values & Neighborhood Quality: Constant noise pollution reduces residential property values, limits the peaceful enjoyment of outdoor spaces, and hinders long-term community growth along the M-53 corridor.

 Infrastructure Deficit: While infrastructure investments have expanded transit capacity along M-53, residential buffers remain insufficient. State transportation planning must prioritize community health alongside traffic volume growth.

Action Requested

We respectfully request that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and local municipal leaders take the following immediate steps:

1. Conduct Comprehensive Decibel & Noise Impact Studies: Execute official Type II traffic noise assessments at designated residential locations along M-53 to establish decibel levels relative to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC).

2. Allocate Infrastructure Funding for Noise Mitigation: Designate state and federal highway funding specifically to construct high-efficiency sound barrier walls for vulnerable M-53 neighborhoods.

3. Establish a Community Action Timeline: Host public listening sessions with affected M-53 corridor residents to share decibel monitoring findings, engineering feasibility plans, and construction timelines.

Specifically: mile marker 21 at 24 Mile road/ Jewel for homes located CLOSEST to M-53 freeway.