Sound wall to be built along 118 Residents living along the north side of the 118 Freeway between Sycamore Drive and Erringer Road long troubled by the droning noise of freeway traffic may soon find it quieter.

The Simi Valley City Council last week awarded a contract to Rasmussen, Inc. to erect a sound wall along that stretch of freeway.

The entire project, including construction, engineering and surveying services, will cost $6.4 million. Federal funds will pay for about $5.3 million, more than 88 percent of the cost, while the city will fund the remaining $1.1 million. Senior Engineer Sarah Sheshebor said that after a preconstruction meeting, which should be conducted in the next few weeks, Caltrans will determine whether the work should be done during the day or at off-peak traffic hours.

Construction is expected to begin midto late-April and be completed in April 2007.

Last year, the city solicited bids for construction of sound walls along that section of freeway and a stretch on the south side between Sequoia Avenue and Tapo Canyon Road.

When the bids came in, however, they were $4.3 million more than what the city had expected. So the city council decided to separate the two projects.

The section along the north side of the freeway was chosen because noise decibel levels were higher.

Ron Fuchiwaki, assistant director of public works, said officials may look at the latter section later this year.

"Unfortunately we don't know what our chances are in regards to getting any more funding," he said.

Federal money for the sound wall project came from a special one-time fund. He said the section between Sequoia Avenue and Tapo Canyon Road may have to wait for a future state freeway-widening project.