New York noise

A construction product designed and built in the UK has been credited with reducing noise in the world’s noisiest city. Echo Barrier, based in Sudbury, Suffolk, was commissioned by The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Judlau Construction to provide noise barriers to help reduce noise and disruption caused by construction of New York City’s Second Avenue Subway.

The Subway project aims to reduce congestion on the East Side Subway system, which currently lacks capacity to keep up with high demand.

Construction of the subway tunnels, which are located in Manhattan’s densely populated East side has been disruptive to neighbouring residents and businesses, and the team involved in project managing the development knew that noise reduction solutions were necessary. Having seen the barriers in action in the World Trade Centre, they did not hesitate in bringing in Echo Barrier.

Peter Wilson who designed the barriers and who heads up the Echo Barrier technical team here in the UK is pleased that the barriers have been able to help reduce the noise coming from this significant transport development.

He said: “This is a really significant build in the heart of New York City. We know the barriers can do the job and they won’t let New Yorkers down. They are lightweight, easy to handle, sturdy in bad weather and very cost effective – perfect for this kind of noise problem.”