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by Elliott_Davis from St. Louis

Last Post 30 days, 8 hours Ago


Frontenac Soundwall
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:22 PM
Category: Traffic
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It's one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen you pay for.

We did a report on a West County Modot soundwall built right in front of a Frontenac family's home. I mean you walk out your front door only to see this huge monstrosity.

I think this is one of those deal swhere a little common sense should have come into play. And the agency higher ups shoudl have asked themselves, would I want this in front of my house. The answer would have been a resounding no.

When I questioned Modot the agency said it's the best way to curb highway noise.

There's also such a thing as quality of life. And this definitely affects that.

Modot says since all the walls are interconnected to reduce sound there maybe nothing they can do and the homeowner may be stuck with this deal that certainly doesn't help the value of your home when it comes time to sell.

I certainly believe the Modot experts should go back to the drawing board and figure out something to mitigate the negative effects of this wall.

Modot's done many good things on the highway 40 project.. But someone didn't have on their thinking cap when built this wall.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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Flaglady read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:52 PM

I have to ask some questions.

Is the sound wall on easement or is it actually on the homeowners property?

Did the homeowner receive any monies from MODOT before the wall went up? Monies to purchase some of their land or for whatever?

Did the homeowner vote yes for the wall?

Did the homeowner do their homework by taking the plans and seeing exactly where the wall would go or just took everything for granted?

Elliott, I do enjoy your pieces but this one seemed to have many questions that were not asked.
Elliott_Davis read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:31 PM

The soundwallis on Modot property.
The homeowner didn't get paid.
The majority of residents voted for the soundwall.
Modot showed folks the plans in a general meeting.
Despite all that engineers should have used better judgement and figured no one would want a soundwall so close to the front of their home.
Often you can see plans and if your not an accomplished engineer you still can't visualized how the finished product will look.
It goes under things that may look good on paper are that great in actuality..
This is one of those cases
rosie read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:59 PM

lol, that lady took that good. i would have been yelling and screaming my head off. that was horrible, what was modot thinking... i would make them buy me out
ljh3134 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:29 PM

When the government needs to use or buy your property, you, as the homeowner, have few rights. The window of negotiation is slim to none! This wall and its location, sad as it may be, doesn't surprise me at all. I call it their creative negotiation process. MODOT knew going in that is where it was going, at this point, they have no intention of changing it. THEY DON'T CARE!

Had a similar situation with St. Charles County several years back, they removed all our trees, tore up our front yard, and we lived with the construction for over 2 1/2 years. During the construction process, water pressure caused several pipes to burst to the tune of over $10,000.00 in damage. Our homeowners had to be utilized, their insurance company denied responsibility.

Love your segments Elliott! This story will prove interesting!
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 3:44 AM

The simplist and the common sense solution would be for Mo Dot to just buy that homeowner out and make that house state property.... But I imagine they would rather spend 10 times that much on court battles and let a judge decide the case........
ladytbonesteak read my blog view my photos
Jul 24, 2008 | 6:31 AM

That was crazy! I cannot believe it!

Help her out Elliott!
Babujai read my blog view my photos
Jul 25, 2008 | 7:26 AM

That lady was taking it extremely well. If I were her I would've been on the news, too...but in handcuffs, cuz i'd have blown that mess up.
Gal4Christ read my blog view my photos
Jul 25, 2008 | 7:39 PM

Go Elliot! Help that lady.
downtowner read my blog
Jul 26, 2008 | 9:27 PM

Elliot, time to call the house mover and move that house about 12 feet to the left facing the cross street...simple, probably cheaper than a buy out. looks like a two case job, and about 60,000 dollars.
NiceGuyWestCounty read my blog
Jul 27, 2008 | 9:07 PM

I drove by the house today out of curiosity. I had a hard time figuring out the angle on television. It looks awful! To hear Ed H., the head of MODOT saying that it looks okay - well, he needs to get not only his eyes checked, but his head checked as well. Anyone who says that is acceptable needs help. How would he like it if it were in HIS yard???
SikUvTheRite read my blog
Jul 29, 2008 | 9:22 AM

Is FlagLady having some sort of denial or inability to accept that there might be **gasp!** inequities and problems in this greatest country on Earth? I mean, I understand always having questions, FlagLady - I ask them all the time of Bush and the naive folks who blindly follow his incompetent lead. But your questions seem to indicate you just can't possibly believe some government entity - under control of the God-fearing Republicans, no less! - could do so much wrong to a fellow citizen.

Funny, I don't think it's hard to believe at all.

Plus, let's not forget the money angle. These folks likely aren't the rich ones in Ladue and Town & Country along Hwy 40 - those people get taken care like the royalty they are! Many probably donate to Republican Missouri candidates - don't want to make THEM mad! If these folks had money, gee what d'ya wanna bet all of a sudden something would be being done? Heck, they'd re-route the entire highway if they were wealthy and connected!

So THIS is how ORDINARY working people are treated every day. Even in America, FlagLady.

Maybe you never experience it.
NiceGuyWestCounty read my blog
Jul 29, 2008 | 4:52 PM

To SikUvTheRite - I live along Hwy 40 in Town & Country but am not rich and don't feel that I'm treated any differently than anyone else. Trust me - as much as you might like to think that we are treated with superiority, I hate to share with you that you're dead wrong. We went through the same MODOT, town hall, and community meetings that everyone else went through.
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Elliott_Davis

I'm a reporter at Fox 2 News, specializing in investigative journalism with the 'You Paid For It segment'. I'm also a weekend anchor and reporter. I'm a St. Louis native, graduate of Vashon High School, Cornell University, and the father of a teenage daughter. I enjoy reading, chess, and exposing public officials wasting your money.

Member Since: 9/13/2006


 

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