Sound Walls Age Early Along Northeast Ohio Interstates

Interstate highway sound walls are aging more quickly than expected in northeast Ohio, costing the state millions.

Regional Ohio Department of Transportation officials say they’re disappointed with the concrete product used in the walls. The Plain Dealer reports the material has been no match for Cleveland area winters and road salt.

An ODOT spokeswoman says the department is now spending $5 million a year to fix or replace noise barriers statewide. Most of that work is being done in the Cleveland area.

So far, more than 10 miles of walls have been replaced in northeast Ohio, including some from the mid-1990s that were supposed to have a 20-year life expectancy.

A regional ODOT administrator says the new walls should last “a lot longer.”