Some Ahwatukee residents are upset with overnight construction noise from the Loop 202 expansion project that will eventually connect the East Valley to the West Valley.
“I'm hoping that they would have to shut down or turn their beepers off,” resident Cynthia Garcia said. “To be keeping families up that have to go to work or to school, I think it’s unfair.”
ADOT spokesperson Dustin Krugel says crews try to do the majority of the construction during the day. However, some work, like dirt hauls, must be done at night.
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"Most residential noise complaints during construction are connected to equipment back-up alarms, which were in use overnight this weekend near 40th and 32nd streets to complete the Pecos Road traffic shift prior to Monday’s morning commute," said Krugel. "The project team understands these alarms can be disruptive to the adjacent residents, but they are absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the workers and the public."
The alarms are an OSHA requirement to keep workers from getting killed by construction equipment.
"Something has to be done, there has to be compromise," homeowner Kim Fearon said. "I understand that they have to work, but it can't be at the expense and sanity of the residents who live here."
Fearon isn't the only homeowner frustrated by the construction.
"The middle of the day it doesn't really bother me," resident Jamie Lydick said. "It's the night really right now."
Her backyard balcony view near 40th Street and Pecos Road was once full of palm trees. Now it has been joined by the sites and sounds of construction and cranes.
To cut down on the beeping, Krugel says their crews try to drive the equipment in a certain way to avoid having to back them up.
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"ADOT requires the project team to consider the effects of construction noise and to take steps to minimize it," said Krugel. "Furthermore, exhaust systems on all equipment are required to be in good working order and idling equipment should be kept as far away as possible from those who could hear it."
ADOT said they understand neighbors are upset but that the massive dirt haul has to happen over night. In fact, it's so massive that Krugel described it as being a football field that has to be filed 10 stories high.
If they moved it during the day, it would cause major traffic delays in the area.
The night work is expected to continue over the next 12 weeks. After that, Krugel said there will be very little work to bother residents at night.
