Does A New Highway Increase Home Value?

"...How much will its value be affected? There really isn't a reliable formula for this, since much depends on how high the berm is, whether or not it is landscaped (heavy landscaping not only makes it more psychologically palatable but can also cut noise by as much as half, according to the Federal Highway Administration), and whether your house is level with the berm or on a rise (the parts of your home that are above the berm won't get its noise-blocking benefits). The good news is -- a well-done berm can be just as effective in blocking noise as an artificial barrier, and most people find it more aesthetically pleasing. Indeed, some privacy buffs might even like the idea of a backyard "hill" that shields their midnight skinny-dips from the eyes of passersby."