Dear Council,

As Councilmember Combs described so eloquently in the May 9 Council meeting, it is long past time to help the residents living near the Highway 101/Willow interchange. Residents on both sides are subjected to constant noise due to the removal of the sound barriers (both trees and walls) for construction. I’m writing to urge you to move forward promptly and begin — at least as a first step -- replacing the trees.

The City already has set aside specific funding to plant some new trees by the interchange and should move on starting that project as soon as possible. There is no reason to delay. Once that is moving, and the first round of trees are in and growing, you can continue adding trees and seek funding to replace the walls.

Excessive, constant noise hurts quality of life and health in so many ways. This project is already funded and easy to implement. Let’s plant the trees!

Respectfully,
Maria Amundson