By Tim Garcia, Fairhaven Sustainability Committee
Fairhaven is approaching a period of unprecedented traffic disruption that will directly affect the daily lives of residents. Two major infrastructure projects — the replacement of the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge, tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028, and the ongoing I-195/Route 18 Interchange Rehabilitation through 2030 — may overlap for a number of years. The result will be more traffic on our streets, more noise in our neighborhoods, and more strain on our community than many may realize.
Most discussions about these projects focus on detours, congestion, and delays. While those are valid concerns, one issue deserves more attention: noise pollution. Increased traffic means more than inconvenience; it affects health, safety, and property values. If Fairhaven does not take critical action, our residents will bear unnecessary burdens.
Noise pollution is not just an annoyance. The Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization both recognize chronic traffic noise as a public health issue. Studies show that long-term exposure to roadway noise above 55 decibels — a level easily reached on busy streets — contributes to stress, poor sleep, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. Nighttime noise as low as 40 decibels can disrupt sleep cycles, leading to fatigue, lower productivity, and increased accidents.
The impacts ripple out from there. Property values along high-traffic roads decline — research suggests by as mush as 8% compared to quieter neighborhoods. Residents subjected to constant noise are more likely to move, weakening neighborhood stability. Road rage, aggravation, and minor crimes are all more common in noisy, congested environments. Litter increases, walkability decreases, and the sense of community diminishes when people feel their streets are unsafe or unpleasant.
Fairhaven is particularly vulnerable. With I-195 exits closed while under construction, detouring traffic will push through our streets. In a few short years when the bridge project begins, that pressure will intensify dramatically. Possibly, for at least two to three years, the town could face round-the-clock congestion, truck detours, and road wear at levels not seen before.
The good news is that this problem is preventable — but only if addressed now. Other communities have successfully reduced noise and traffic impacts through proactive planning. Options include noise abatement barriers, tree buffers, and resurfacing roads with “quiet pavement.” Traffic calming measures — such as raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and speed humps — can reduce both speed and noise while improving safety. Stronger enforcement of truck routes, nighttime noise ordinances, and community-based litter control can further protect residents.
What is needed now is for Fairhaven to treat this as more than a transportation issue. It is a quality-of-life issue, a health issue, and an economic issue. By acting early, our town leaders can secure state cooperation, funding, and mitigation measures before these projects really make an impact.
Fairhaven is a community that values its neighborhoods, its history, and its livability. If we take steps today, we can ensure that residents are not forced to endure years of unnecessary hardship tomorrow.
To hear more about this, join the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee during our monthly committee meetings. Have your voice heard with your concerns, ideas, and solutions.
Find meeting dates on the town’s website: https://fairhaven-ma.gov or call the Town Clerk’s office, 508-979-4023, Ext. 3
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