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In the Know: Is iROX building sound barriers for communities along I-75?
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Q: I would like to know if iROX is going to build effective sound barriers along the expansion of Interstate 75 in Collier. I am specifically interested in the area of Immokalee Road and I-75. Will the planned unit development of Tarpon Bay get any relief from the road noise?
Carol Bailey, Naples
A: That’s something many other readers want to know.
“It’s one of the most common questions we get at our office, iROX spokesman John Rinkenbaugh said.
Before the interstate widening project began, communities that were anticipated to receive an increase in noise levels to 66 decibels or more were studied to determine if a noise wall would be both feasible and cost reasonable.
Rinkenbaugh said noise walls associated with the project are planned for construction so far at Wyndemere in Collier County, and Southern Pines, Stoneybrook, Corkscrew Woodlands and Three Oaks Community Park in Lee County.
Tarpon Bay, Cypress Woods and many other communities not on the list will not have iROX sound barriers.
“I looked at the noise study results for Tarpon Bay,” Rinkenbaugh said. “It shows only four residences, all within one apartment building, that would experience the increase 66 decibels or more. The residences were constructed after the date of public knowledge. That’s the cutoff date for consideration for noise walls. The date of public knowledge was Dec. 24, 2002.”
Both the Federal Highway Administration and Florida Department of Transportation require that a noise wall reduce traffic noise by at least 5 decibels to be considered feasible. DOT also requires that the cost per property to build a noise wall be $35,000 or less, Rinkenbaugh said.
To find more information about noise walls, visit the iROX Web site, www.iROX75.com.
Q: Our family used to meet for monthly mini “family reunions” at a restaurant that was located in the old Dog n Suds restaurant near Four Corners. Our family has been trying to remember the name of the restaurant and thought you may know. It had great Italian food, especially the pizza.
Debby Thornton, Naples
A: Your fond memories are of Mickey’s Pizza and Spaghetti, but that old Dog n Suds site, at 210 U.S. 41 N., has hosted a revolving door of restaurants, about a dozen. It now is Wahoo’s Bar and Grill, which temporarily closed for the summer. Before that, it has been Flambo, Le Riviera, Le Caffé des Artistes, Pompano Bar & Grill, Golf Coast Grill, The Cafe, Pete & Danny’s, Mickey’s, Naples Drive Inn Restaurant and Dog n Suds.
That 0.34-acre lot on the corner of Second Avenue North has been owned by Michael and Marie Elden since 1999. The Port Royal couple created Le Caffé des Artistes, a four-star restaurant at that location.
“It’s a great location,” Marie Elden said. “My husband and I had a restaurant there for six years and did fabulous.”
Tim Aten is chief online editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com.
Find a complete archive of “In the Know” at naplesnews.com/intheknow/
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