Speakers Corner: Is the Gardiner Expressway a sound barrier?

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This week, some people want to know if the Gardiner Expressway also acts as a sound barrier. The question is being raised in Leslieville after residents there have had some sleepless nights.

“It was a like a bass — I kept hearing that constant bass going around,” said Myles Cassell, who lives in Leslieville.

“I even went outside in my housecoat to see where it was coming from because it was keeping me awake,” added Sherrill Tucker, another Leslieville resident. “I just can’t believe I can hear it from my house.”

That’s because Tucker and others complaining live more than two kilometres away from the source of the sound.

The music starts after 7 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. on various nights of the week. It’s coming from the City View Drive-In at Polson pier, a concert venue.

But concerts were held there in years past too.

“And I never heard it before. I’ve lived here for 40 years,” Tucker said.

So what’s changed?

For one, a large portion of the Gardiner Expressway — the Logan Avenue ramp — was demolished this summer.

“It leaves this huge empty space, making me wonder whether that’s made the sound come through more clearly,” Cassell said.

We took that question to Dr. Ramani Ramakrishnan, a retired professor with Ryerson University.

“My specialty is acoustics and noise control.”

While he would need to do a full visit to the site to be sure, he’s not certain the ramp blocked sound.

“If there is a gap in the sound barrier it’s unlikely. The idea in acoustics is if you have a 10 per cent opening, 92 to 93 per cent of the sound will come through,” he said.

The ramp was supported by concrete columns with a lot of open space.

“Given that fact, I don’t believe it was a proper sound barrier,” Ramakrishnan said.

While the ramp may not have blocked sound — did the traffic, that once traveled on it?

“That’s a good question. It wouldn’t have blocked the sound but the traffic on the ramp could actually mask the sound. Yes, that’s a possibility.”

Regardless of why the sound is coming through this year, people who live in these neighbourhoods want something done.

“Oh my, there’s been over 200 complaints to our office and 311,” said Councillor Paula Fletcher who represents the Leslieville neighbourhood.

She’s vowing to investigate and find a solution, but doesn’t believe the Gardiner ramp removal is to blame.

“Last year’s concerts you had to stay in your car,” Fletcher said. “This year’s concerts are not car concerts they are out and about and I think they might be louder this year.”

Fletcher will be meeting with City staff to go over the noise ordinance — an ordinance she says needs further review.

“There are a couple of problems with the ordinance. For one, 311 is taking the calls but they actually don’t have dispatch staff on in the evenings so the bylaw officers don’t know where to go,” Fletcher said.

CityNews reached out to Toronto City staff.

“The City of Toronto is aware of the noise complaints regarding the concerts at City View Drive-In and is looking into this matter,” a spokesperson told us.

City View Drive-In did not respond to requests for comment. But nobody is calling for the party to end — some actually enjoy the noise.

“It’s not like it’s happening every night, people need joy, hopefully we can all make space for that,” said Maeve Mungovan.

Leslieville residents say they’d just like a happy compromise, something professor Ramakrishnan says is possible.

“A good acoustic consultant can give very good recommendations for City View to control the noise. I mean, it is going to cost some money, but if they are making enough money, they should spend that money to be a good corporate citizen.” He said.

“We don’t want to shut you down, we just want to shut you up.” Fletcher added.

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