Orchard Road Sound Wall Improvements

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Study Background

In 2004, the City of Aurora and Kane County partnered on roadway improvements to Orchard Road/Kane County Highway 83. To address residents noise concerns, approximately 63,300 square feet of wooden fence was installed along portions of both sides. The fence ranges between nine (9) and twelve (12) feet high and at sixteen (16) years old, is now in a state of significant disrepair. Additionally, with increased truck traffic along Orchard Rd., the wooden fence does not provide adequate noise protection. Any improvements to the fence/noise barrier would need to be shared by both the City of Aurora and Kane County. Negotiations to replace the barriers began in earnest in 2017; the city is set to start construction in 2026.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the project is to improve noise protection for residents living along Orchard Road.

Project Funding

Funding for this project has been identified and allocated to ensure the work can move ahead as planned.

Kane County Grant: $1,018,000

State of Illinois Grant: $800,000

City of Aurora 5th Ward Projects Fund: $600,000

City of Aurora Capital Improvements Fund: $3,582,000

Total: $6,000,000

For any questions or concerns, please email Ward5Project@aurora.il.us so that you can be provided with timely and accurate information. Additionally, the "Questions" tool, located at the bottom of the page, will be monitored regularly.

Study Background

In 2004, the City of Aurora and Kane County partnered on roadway improvements to Orchard Road/Kane County Highway 83. To address residents noise concerns, approximately 63,300 square feet of wooden fence was installed along portions of both sides. The fence ranges between nine (9) and twelve (12) feet high and at sixteen (16) years old, is now in a state of significant disrepair. Additionally, with increased truck traffic along Orchard Rd., the wooden fence does not provide adequate noise protection. Any improvements to the fence/noise barrier would need to be shared by both the City of Aurora and Kane County. Negotiations to replace the barriers began in earnest in 2017; the city is set to start construction in 2026.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the project is to improve noise protection for residents living along Orchard Road.

Project Funding

Funding for this project has been identified and allocated to ensure the work can move ahead as planned.

Kane County Grant: $1,018,000

State of Illinois Grant: $800,000

City of Aurora 5th Ward Projects Fund: $600,000

City of Aurora Capital Improvements Fund: $3,582,000

Total: $6,000,000

For any questions or concerns, please email Ward5Project@aurora.il.us so that you can be provided with timely and accurate information. Additionally, the "Questions" tool, located at the bottom of the page, will be monitored regularly.

  • Sound Wall Feedback Session

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    The City of Aurora will be hosting an Orchard Road Sound Wall Feedback Session on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 P.M. inside Council Chambers, located at City Hall (44 E. Downer Place).

    During this session, representatives from the City’s Engineering Division will present multiple proposals for the construction of the Sound Wall. Residents will learn more about each proposal’s cost and timeline, plus receive the opportunity to offer feedback on which proposal the City should pursue.

    The City of Aurora will be hosting an Orchard Road Sound Wall Feedback Session on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 P.M. inside Council Chambers, located at City Hall (44 E. Downer Place).

    During this session, representatives from the City’s Engineering Division will present multiple proposals for the construction of the Sound Wall. Residents will learn more about each proposal’s cost and timeline, plus receive the opportunity to offer feedback on which proposal the City should pursue.

  • Despite Delays, Aurora Continues With Orchard Road Sound Wall Project

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    The City of Aurora is continuing to work towards building a new sound wall along Orchard Road and is expected to soon get quotes on the exact cost of the project.

    The sound wall, which has been in the works for many years, would shield residents living near the busy road on the far West Side of Aurora from the well-documented vehicle noise. The Aurora City Council agreed last October to an intergovernmental agreement with Kane County for the sound wall, a major step towards construction that officials were hoping would take place this year, but the project has hit delays.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

    The City of Aurora is continuing to work towards building a new sound wall along Orchard Road and is expected to soon get quotes on the exact cost of the project.

    The sound wall, which has been in the works for many years, would shield residents living near the busy road on the far West Side of Aurora from the well-documented vehicle noise. The Aurora City Council agreed last October to an intergovernmental agreement with Kane County for the sound wall, a major step towards construction that officials were hoping would take place this year, but the project has hit delays.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

  • Aurora City Council Approves Deal for Orchard Road Sound Wall

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    The Aurora City Council Tuesday night approved an intergovernmental agreement with Kane County for a new sound wall along Orchard Road.

    The agreement means the city and county would put up a concrete sound wall along the highway on Aurora’s far West Side, although the agreement still needs the 74 property owners that front onto the road to approve their participation in the project.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

    The Aurora City Council Tuesday night approved an intergovernmental agreement with Kane County for a new sound wall along Orchard Road.

    The agreement means the city and county would put up a concrete sound wall along the highway on Aurora’s far West Side, although the agreement still needs the 74 property owners that front onto the road to approve their participation in the project.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

  • Sound Fencing Is Planned For Noisy, Busy Orchard Road In Aurora

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    The Aurora City Council is set to vote on a deal for a new sound fence along Orchard Road.

    The upgraded fence has been “a decade in the making,” according to Ian Wade, of the city’s engineering division. During that time, the bustling Orchard Road, on the far West Side, has become busier — particularly with more truck traffic.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

    The Aurora City Council is set to vote on a deal for a new sound fence along Orchard Road.

    The upgraded fence has been “a decade in the making,” according to Ian Wade, of the city’s engineering division. During that time, the bustling Orchard Road, on the far West Side, has become busier — particularly with more truck traffic.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

  • Aurora Looks To Muffle Sound Along Orchard Road

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    An Aurora City Council committee has recommended an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Kane County for an upgraded sound fence along Orchard Road.

    The upgraded fence has been “a decade in the making,” according to Ian Wade, of the city’s Engineering Division. During that time, the busy Orchard Road on the far West Side of Aurora has become busier, particularly with more truck traffic.

    The agreement for the type of fence is “really unprecedented” for the county and the city, Ald. Carl Franco, 5th Ward, Finance Committee chair, said.

    Wade described the fence as something in between the type of wooden fence that is there now and the full Illinois Department of Transportation sound wall used along expressways and interstate roadways.

    The idea was to get something that would be significantly better for tamping down the sound along Orchard Road, but would be affordable, Wade said.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

    An Aurora City Council committee has recommended an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Kane County for an upgraded sound fence along Orchard Road.

    The upgraded fence has been “a decade in the making,” according to Ian Wade, of the city’s Engineering Division. During that time, the busy Orchard Road on the far West Side of Aurora has become busier, particularly with more truck traffic.

    The agreement for the type of fence is “really unprecedented” for the county and the city, Ald. Carl Franco, 5th Ward, Finance Committee chair, said.

    Wade described the fence as something in between the type of wooden fence that is there now and the full Illinois Department of Transportation sound wall used along expressways and interstate roadways.

    The idea was to get something that would be significantly better for tamping down the sound along Orchard Road, but would be affordable, Wade said.

    Read more in the Aurora Beacon News by CLICKING HERE.

Page last updated: 21 Jul 2026, 04:44 PM