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Another delay for US-127 sound wall project

Posted at 5:27 PM, Apr 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-29 19:38:49-04

LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - The US-127 sound wall project between Lake Lansing Road and the Frandor area began in March 2016 and was supposed to be wrapped up in October.

Fast forward to April 2017, the project still hasn’t been finished.

Jennifer Smith has lived next to the highway her whole life so she’s gotten used to the sound of cars whizzing down the highway. But others in the family, not so much.

“My husband when he moved in probably around 13 years ago, he noticed it absolutely,” said Smith. “He is from Laingsburg so it was a huge adjustment for him.”

When she was told a sound wall was going up, you can imagine the excitement. It was excitement that faded away quickly.

“It’s not fun,” said Smith. “It’s defiantly frustrating that it's just been sitting stagnant for so long.”

MDOT is now facing a second delay in the project. The prime contractor, Toebe Construction of Wixom, has now subcontracted ADL Systems Inc. from Portland to construct and install the 1,400 panels that'll make up the wall.

Constructing the panels will take time before the installation can begin.

“Everyone involved would like to see this project done as quickly as possible and to have a good finished project put out there,” said Kari Arend, an MDOT spokeswoman. “That should happen later this summer but until that is we appreciate everyone's patience and we will work hard to get this done as quickly as we can.”

Auxiliary lanes will stay open before construction begins a second time. Neighbors nearby hope the second time around will be the last.

“We’re crossing our fingers,” said Smith.

No summer date has been set yet for construction to begin.

As soon as a date is set, FOX 47 News will pass along the information.