Petition to restrict engine braking and reduce highway noise on US-97 in La Pine

Petition for Jake Brake Restrictions and Highway Noise Mitigation — U.S. Highway 97, La Pine

ToLa Pine City Council and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)

We, the undersigned residents of La Pine, Oregon, respectfully petition for prompt action to address excessive highway noise affecting our community along U.S. Highway 97 (US-97) — specifically the residential stretch from approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167), within the Burgess Road–1st Street corridor, with the greatest impact on the southern half nearest 1st Street.

Background

Our homes sit directly alongside US-97. Day and night, we experience disruptive noise from semi-truck engine (“jake”) braking and general highway traffic that we believe exceeds the federal residential noise standard of 66 decibels (FHWA, 23 CFR 772). This is a level, straight section of highway where engine braking is not required for safety.

We request

1. A “No Engine Braking” zone. Establish and sign a restricted engine-braking zone on US-97 through our residential area, from approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167).
2. A professional noise study. Measure actual noise levels at affected homes against the 66 dBA Noise Abatement Criteria for residential land use (Category B) under 23 CFR 772.
3. Sound-barrier evaluation. Where measured levels exceed the federal standard, evaluate and install sound-barrier walls.
4. A City Council resolution. Adopt a resolution supporting this petition to ODOT, demonstrating municipal backing.

Impact on our community — day and night

• Disrupted sleep at night and in the early morning, and lost rest for shift workers, infants, and others during the day
• Health effects associated with chronic noise exposure — stress, fatigue, and sleep loss
• Loss of the everyday use of yards, porches, and outdoor spaces
• Reduced property values

Why this is a reasonable request

• This stretch of US-97 is level and straight; engine braking is not needed here for safety, and service brakes are fully adequate.
• A comparable restriction is already in place on Huntington Avenue in Three Rivers, Oregon — a road with many more curves and lower visibility than our level stretch — without compromising safety.
• Our request is grounded in the federal Highway Traffic Noise standard (66 dBA, 23 CFR 772).
• Residents are documenting noise levels at varied times of day and night using the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (iOS) and a sound-level meter app (Android).

We understand that safety is paramount and that engine braking serves an important function on steep grades. This is not such a section. This is a quality-of-life request, not opposition to trucking. We ask the La Pine City Council to advocate on our behalf with ODOT and to support this petition with a formal resolution.

Signatures

Each signer below is a resident affected by, or supportive of addressing, highway noise on this section of US-97.

Date__________________________

ToLa Pine City Council
City Hall, La Pine, OR 97739
info@lapineoregon.gov

RE: Request for City support — highway noise and jake brake restrictions on US-97 (MP 166–167)

Dear Mayor and Council Members,

I am writing on behalf of residents in the neighborhoods bordering U.S. Highway 97 in La Pine — the stretch from approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167) — to request the City’s support in addressing excessive highway noise that is significantly impacting our quality of life, day and night.

Issue summary

Our community experiences daily and nightly disruption from semi-truck engine (“jake”) braking and general highway noise that we are confident exceeds the federal residential standard of 66 dBA (23 CFR 772). The noise affects dozens of households, many within a few hundred feet of the highway.

Specific requests

1. Jake brake restrictions. Formally petition ODOT to establish a “No Engine Braking” zone on US-97 from approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167). A comparable restriction already exists on Huntington Avenue in Three Rivers — a curvier, lower-visibility road than ours.
2. Noise assessment. Work with ODOT to conduct a professional noise study under 23 CFR 772.
3. Sound-barrier evaluation. Support evaluation of barrier walls where levels exceed the federal standard.
4. City Council resolution. Adopt a resolution supporting our petition to ODOT.

Supporting information

• We are gathering signatures from affected residents, online at letlapinesleep.org and in person.
• Residents report consistent disruption to sleep and to the daytime use of their homes and yards.
• This section of US-97 is level and straight and does not require engine braking for safety.
• We are documenting decibel readings at varied times using the NIOSH Sound Level Meter.

I would welcome the opportunity to present this issue at an upcoming council meeting and to discuss how the City can most effectively advocate with ODOT on our behalf. Thank you for your attention to this quality-of-life matter affecting La Pine residents.

Date__________________________

ToOregon Department of Transportation — District 10
63055 N Highway 97, Bend, OR 97703 · (541) 388-6177
ccOregon Transportation Commission — otcadmin@odot.oregon.gov

RE: Formal request for jake brake restrictions and noise study — US-97, La Pine (MP 166–167)

Dear ODOT District Manager and Members of the Oregon Transportation Commission,

I am writing on behalf of La Pine residents to formally request engine-braking restrictions and a highway noise assessment for the section of US-97 adjacent to our residential community — approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167), within the Burgess Road–1st Street corridor, with the greatest impact on the southern half nearest 1st Street.

Location

US-97 from approximately milepost 166 to milepost 167 (1st Street), La Pine, OR 97739.

Issue

Our community experiences excessive noise from semi-truck engine (“jake”) braking and general highway traffic — day and night — that we believe exceeds the federal Highway Traffic Noise standard of 66 dBA for residential areas. This affects dozens of households located within a few hundred feet of the highway.

Request 1 — No Engine Braking zone

Establish a restricted engine-braking zone with appropriate signage on US-97 from approximately milepost 166 to 1st Street (milepost 167).

• This section is level and straight, with no steep grades requiring engine braking for safety.
• Excessive jake-brake noise occurs day and night, disrupting sleep and daily life.
• Service brakes and alternative braking methods are adequate on this section.
• A comparable restriction is already in place on Huntington Avenue in Three Rivers, Oregon — a curvier, lower-visibility road — without safety incidents.

Request 2 — Highway Traffic Noise analysis

Conduct a formal noise study pursuant to the FHWA Highway Traffic Noise Analysis and Abatement Policy (23 CFR 772) to measure levels at affected residences, determine whether they exceed the 66 dBA Noise Abatement Criteria for residential land use (Category B), and assess whether abatement — including barrier walls — is warranted and reasonable.

Request 3 — Sound-barrier evaluation

Where levels are confirmed to exceed the federal standard, evaluate and install barrier walls along the affected section.

Supporting documentation

• Community petition with resident signatures (online at letlapinesleep.org and in person)
• Resident decibel readings taken at varied times of day and night (NIOSH Sound Level Meter)
• Map of the affected residential area
• La Pine City Council resolution of support (to be attached upon adoption)

Requested timeline

• Initial response acknowledging receipt: 30 days
• Site visit and preliminary assessment: 60 days
• Formal noise study, if warranted: 6–12 months
• Implementation of engine-braking restrictions: upon completion of safety review

We appreciate ODOT’s attention to this matter and look forward to working together to improve livability for La Pine residents while maintaining safe and efficient freight movement.