SOUNDWALL DEBATE HEATS UP RESIDENTS ON SOUTH FEEL SLIGHTED BY NORTH-SIDE PROJECT.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Residents living north of the 118 Freeway between Sycamore Drive and Erringer Road are getting a long-awaited soundwall, drawing the envy - and ire - of neighbors on the south side, who also complain of traffic noise.

The nearly $6 million project will be funded by federal, state and local money.

The north-side wall will be built first because noise levels there are worse than on the south side, officials said. There are plans to erect a soundwall at the south side in the future, as part of the freeway's widening project.

``Why has the city failed the people on the south side?'' said Lyle Jackson, who lives on North Loretta Circle, 30 feet away from the freeway.

A next-door neighbor, Betty Rodriguez, added, ``Why them? They have a street between them (and the freeway). We have nothing to protect us. My walls shake when trucks pass by.''

The noise is so bad that Jackson's 15-year-old son will no longer sleep in his room, which faces the freeway. And she herself sleeps with ear plugs. Neighbors said they cannot enjoy their backyards.

They also complain that the soundwall to the north will make it worse because it will reflect the freeway noise back to their neighborhood.

Ron Fuchiwaki, assistant public works director, said the city will be contacting a noise consultant to verify whether that will be an issue.

However, the project at this point is continuing to move forward.

The soundwall on the north side of the highway will be built using federal, state and local funding and is estimated to cost $5.9 million, said Laura Behjan, assistant city manager. The city is contributing roughly $1 million.

The north-side project has been in the planning stages since 2001 and is considered a top priority, based on noise level tests. Building a soundwall on the south side of the highway between First and Sycamore is a lesser priority, where it is not as noisy, and will get done once the funding comes through, said Behjan.

Caltrans spokeswoman Deborah Harris said the project will be completed as part of 118 Freeway widening project, which is several years away.

But there is also the issue of safety at stake, south-side neighbors said.

When a big rig rolled off the 118 Freeway and plowed into Jackson's backyard, knocking down trees and a wall, she feared for her family's safety.

A request has been received by the agency to look into the matter, Harris said. ``We'd have to go out and do an investigation and see what would be the best tool to use.''

Neighbors are calling on the City Council and Caltrans to investigate the July 7 big-rig incident and identify funding to help solve the problem soon and prevent a tragedy from happening.

Traffic along the 118 Freeway is expected to worsen with the opening of the Simi Valley Town Center and expansion of the 23 Freeway, neighbors fear.

``I very much understand,'' said City Councilman Glen Becerra. ``When you have a slope, you need to have guard rails. This truck wasn't the first truck to go down the embankment.

``We understand people's concerns. There's no questions about that. You can't split the money and say we'll do half here and half there. You have to do a segment at a time.''

Becerra suggests installing a guardrail to protect the neighbors.

Jackson said the problem goes beyond safety issues and that residents who live next to the freeway are subject to health implications as well.

Neighbors plan on addressing the City Council on the issue again in September.

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com