CC 07-15-2025 Oral Communications_2CC 07-15-2025
Oral
Communications
Written Comments
From:Qian Wang
To:Kirsten Squarcia
Cc:City Clerk; Xiangyang Jiao; Griffin
Subject:7-15-2025 City Council Meeting - Qian Wang slides ORAL COMM
Date:Tuesday, July 15, 2025 11:49:21 AM
Attachments:SignificantHighwayNoise-N Blaney.pdf
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Dear City Clerk Squarcia,
My name is Qian Wang and I plan to speak during Oral Communications tonight. Attached
are the slides I plan to present. Please also include them as part of Written Communications
for tonight’s City Council meeting.
Thank you,
Qian Wang
Q W, XY Jiao from N Blaney Neighborhood
07/13/2025
Noise from Highway 280
Significant Highway Noise Issue
in N Blaney Neighborhood
Problem Statement
Problem Statement and Goal
•Constant and significant Highway noise in N Blaney neighborhood from HWY 280
•Multiple openings in existing sound barrier wall in Cupertino
•Short sound barrier wall comparing with other places
•Highway surface very rough, which makes louder noise
Goal
•To address this issue to City
•To request city to update the contract with PlaceWorks to include updating the noise study in the Health and
Safety chapter of the General Plan
•To get help from city to ask VTA/Caltrans to find ways to mitigate the noise such as repaving, add a sound wall
in areas that do not have one, increase the sounds barrier wall height
Ref: https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/EA%2004-1K300%20280-Wolfe%20Final%20NSR%2010-9-19_Approved_0.pdf
Ref: https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/cresseygallo/dmnd/5-12_noise.pdf
Current Noise Level in N Blaney Area
•Current Noise Level in N Blaney Neighborhood:
63dB - 76 dB average, peak higher than 80dB
•Allowed noise level in Santa Clara County: 45-55dB
•Based on federal guideline, hearing loss can happen
with this high/constant noise
Avg: 73 dBA
Avg: 64 dBA
Verified by our own measurements (6/22/2025 6-7 PM)
Current Noise Level in N Blaney Area
Test Point 1
Test Point 2
Test Point 3
Noise Level (dB)
TP1 >70
TP2 63-67
TP3 60-70
•Even worse noise during peak hours.
•Significant noise even after 12 AM.
•Lots of racing cars/motorcycles even
after 11:30 PM.
Crossing of N Blaney and Lucille Ave
Openings in existing sound barrier wall
•Residential area right next to this wide
opening
•Noise directly travels to the N Blaney
neighborhood
HWY 280 Sound Barrier Wall Missing area
•Red lines marks the locations along Hwy 280 missing sound barrier wall
•Hwy 280 ground level in Cupertino is high, especially at the east side, which make highway
noise impact area much larger.
•Hwy 280 in Cupertino is still using the concrete, which is much higher noise comparing with
Asphalt pavements in Los altos.
HWY 85 Noise Reduction Project: https://www.vta.org/projects/state-route-85-noise-reduction-program
HWY 280 vs HWY85
•Hwy 280 has openings with no sound barrier wall
•Hwy 280 north ground level is higher than south
side - noise travels to south side easily!
•Even existing sound barrier wall very short
compare with the Hwy85
•Hwy85 ground level much lower than
surrounding neighborhood
•And hwy 85 is having noise reduction project
ongoing!
HWY85
HWY85
HWY280
HWY280
HWY 85 Noise Reduction Project: https://www.vta.org/projects/state-route-85-noise-reduction-program
HWY 280 in other place
CupertinoLos Altos
•Los Altos has used the asphalt pavements to
reduce the highway noise and it has stopped at
the border of the Cupertino city.
Cupertino
Santa Clara
•Santa Clara builded the highway sound barrier wall, which is
stopped right at the border of Cupertino.
Proposal to Improve
•Repavement with rubberized asphalt → Most effective way
•Close the existing openings along the highway
•Taller sound barrier wall
Asks from Neighborhood
•To request city to update the contract with PlaceWorks to include
updating the noise study in the Health and Safety chapter of the
General Plan
•To get help from city to ask VTA/Caltrans to find ways to mitigate the
noise such as repaving, add a sound wall in areas that do not have one,
increase the sounds barrier wall height
•To get regular update from city on the request