Construction began a few months ago on the Interstate-29 sound barriers, but now engineers say the wall needs to be bigger.
People between 49th and 57th streets in Sioux Falls, say they've been waiting years for these Sound Barriers. With the project going back to the drawing board, homeowners are just hoping they don't have to endure another year with the sounds of traffic in their backyards.
Many people have to deal with the noise on a busy street, but what about an entire interstate? For homeowners on St. James Drive the constant sounds of traffic is a problem they've lived with longer than they can remember.
Talks of sound barriers began in 2004. That raised the hopes of many homeowners' but since then, they've been waiting for a little peace and quiet.
"The projection date was 2008, well here we are in 2012 so a long time coming but I'm excited to see it go up." Said Jeanne Omland.
But as the wall started to go up, residents' impressions came down.
"Watching the first phase, I thought to myself that's awfully low." Said Omland.
That was the same thought that crossed the mind of the project engineers. The department of transportation says contractors need to raise the wall an additional four feet in order for the wall to be effective.
Engineers are re-working the blueprints but say the additional cost to the project will only range between $50,000 and $75,000.
But that extra height is well worth it for homeowners.
"I would love it if that height was behind my house because I just know then it would definitely help to block more sound." Omland said.
After years of trying to block out the persistent tones of travelers on the road, Omland says she can't wait to finally spend some quiet time in her backyard
"I think it will be a much more enjoyable experience for me back there and especially being able to invite friends and family over, so I'm looking forward to it." Omland said.
The original cost of the sound barriers was $3.5 million with most of the cost covered by a federal grant. Even with the slight delay the project is still on schedule for completion this summer.
