Study Could Lower Volume on Traffic

The City Council tonight will consider approving a study of the benefits of a new soundproofing system to reduce traffic noise.

The procedure would install a plastic material called quilite atop backyard walls to reduce sound levels about 20 decibels, Public Works Director Ken Montgomery said.

Backyard walls would become 4 feet taller with the addition of quilite, an opaque material with sound-absorbing properties, officials said.

If study results are positive, quilite might help residents of about 100 homes along Street of the Golden Lantern who are concerned about traffic noise.

The city plans to widen Golden Lantern from four to six lanes between Crown Valley Parkway and Marina Hills Drive in the next 18 months.

City officials have already pledged about $700,000 to mitigate the increased noise that will come with road improvements.

Instead of double-paned windows, quilite-enhanced walls could be the answer to the neighborhood’s noise problems, Montgomery said.

City Manager Tim Casey said the appearance of the quilite will be one of the issues considered by the council.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 27801 La Paz Road.

Information: (714) 362-4300.