Renovation of the Post Office stop: Low-noise surfaces ensure peace and quiet!

Renovation of the Post Office stop: Low-noise surfaces ensure peace and quiet!

The canton of St.Gallen is taking significant steps to reduce noise in road traffic. As part of the implementation of the noise protection ordinance, the cantonal authorities are increasingly relying on low-noise surfaces. These special materials are known to be porous and therefore effectively dampen traffic noise. However, it must be noted that they are less resistant to stress. These surfaces are particularly subject to heavy wear at bus stops, such as the Post Office stop in Eschenbach, as frequent braking and starting of the buses leads to high levels of stress.

In 2023, the St.Gallen civil engineering department started a series of tests with seven road stops to evaluate the performance of these noise-reducing materials. The initial results are encouraging; Stable values ​​without deformations were demonstrated at six of the tested locations. In contrast, there were problems at the Post stop such as grooves and cracks in the pavement. These deficiencies are due to the steep gradient, the high bus frequency and a nearby transport hub. To ensure traffic safety, a more robust surface will now be installed over the existing concrete slabs.

Planned renovation work

The renovation work on the Post bus stop is scheduled for the period from October 6th to 8th, 2025. During this time, the affected side of the road will be completely closed and diversions will be signaled accordingly. The civil engineering department informs that the work depends on the weather conditions. Road users and residents are asked for their understanding.

Low-noise pavements offer an effective way to reduce street noise and thus contribute to improving the quality of life in neighboring residential areas. According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), such coverings can reduce noise levels by around 8 decibels when new. At the end of their useful life, these noise reductions can drop to around 3 decibels, which acoustically corresponds to halving the volume of traffic. They also reduce high frequencies and the need for noise protection measures such as walls or windows can be significantly reduced. The FOEN is committed to researching and installing these low-noise surfaces, particularly on inner-city routes, which has the advantage that traffic flow is not affected.

In summary, the advantages of low-noise pavements can be listed as an effective measure for reducing street noise and relieving the burden on adjacent residential areas. In addition, when viewed from an overall ecological perspective over their entire life cycle, they also perform economically more favorably than conventional coverings. This highlights the importance of ongoing research and implementation of such technologies.