A public meeting regarding a proposed 20-foot tall noise barrier along the east side of Highway 371 through downtown Nisswa will be held from 8-10 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Nisswa Community Center.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) mailed letters to all property owners and residents whom MnDOT determined would receive a noise benefit from the construction of a noise barrier, which would run along the highway from where South Main Street and Highway 371 run parallel to each other (just north of the stoplights) to just south of Nisswa Avenue (near the Nisswa Motel).
The meeting will provide those people with an opportunity to express their opinion on the proposed noise barrier.
MnDOT determined the proposed noise barrier has met all of the federal criteria to be considered by those who would receive a 5 decibel reduction. Estimated cost is between $750,000 and $1 million. MnDOT would pay for the barrier.
According to correspondence from the Nisswa Chamber, the identified downtown businesses that would receive a noise benefit are from Big Axe Brewing to Martin's Sport Shop on Main Street, the Nisswa Motel, and from Lee Anderson's boat storage building on South Main Street north to Rebecca's on Main Street.
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All interested and concerned parties are invited to attend the public meeting, even if they cannot vote.
For those identified as voters, the chamber said it is critical that they vote because a non-vote will constitute a yes vote. Those business owners can vote by attending the Tuesday meeting, or by mailing or faxing their vote by April 15 using the ballot that MnDOT provides.
