The Ohio Department of Transportation is experimenting with "green noise walls" instead of the standard eyesore, using bags of soil sprouting greenery as an alternative to concrete.
The project is only the 2nd on record to attempt "eco-friendly noise abatement": a Wisconsin project from 1996 worked well until weeds took it over and a part of the way fell down.
Karen Farkas at the Plain Dealer talked to ODOT spokesman Scott Varner: "It is like a Chia (Pet) wall - basically filling bags with dirt and seed, watering it and watching it grow up and out. [...] And much like the novelty plant on the windowsill, it will take some care in the beginning and ongoing maintenance."
FULL STORY: Sound wall made of vegetation to be studied by ODOT as alternative to concrete wall
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