Daniel Island wants sound buffer

Wall would block noise from I-526

Jessica Johnson
The Post and Courier

Noise from Interstate 526 disrupts what would be a tranquil homesite in the Daniel Island Park neighborhood off of Island Park Drive.

Daniel Island Park neighborhood residents moved to homes lining the Beresford Creek Golf Course expecting that an occasional "fore" would disturb their tranquility.

But in areas closest to the marsh and Interstate 526, the sound of passing traffic is a constant. The drone sounds similar to a landing plane that never fades.

Resident Mike Meyer said he can hear the sound even on winter nights with the windows closed.

"It doesn't keep you awake at night, but it's just a constant noise," he said.

Al Hansen, one of Meyer's neighbors, is leading the charge to erect a sound wall to buffer the noise from the neighborhood where homes range from $900,000 to $6 million.

"I'm concerned the noise is actually detracting from the quality of life on Daniel Island," Hansen said.

Hansen hopes that some type of acrylic barrier could be erected along 4,500 feet of the I-526 bridge that would cut back on noise and also provide drivers with a view. Similar barriers have been in used in Alaska and Ohio.

Councilman Gary White, whose Charleston City Council district includes Daniel Island, said the noise is obvious, but studies need to be done before money is spent.

The city is working to identify noise engineers that could conduct a study on the noise's impact.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.