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Competitive edge
Klimas also believes Eco Sound Barrier could give Joseph B. Fay a competitive advantage when bidding future highway projects. He says that, typically, precast sound barriers cost anywhere from $25 to $45 per square foot. Eco Sound Barrier material costs are only about a third of that, at $10 to $15 per square foot.

"The construction industry really feels the stress of a down economy like ours," Klimas says. "So, we always pay attention to products such as Eco Sound Barrier that could give us the inside edge to securing more work in the future. Reducing our costs so drastically is a major part of that."

Lifecycle analysis
Scheurich of the PA Turnpike agrees the cost savings are impressive and that now it is just a matter of seeing if the barrier can withstand the test of time.

"We are looking at it from a lifecycle perspective right now," Scheurich says. "The initial savings are great, but if we have to replace it too soon, it might not be cost effective over the life of the barrier. Winters in Pennsylvania can be very harsh, and we would like to see how the panels hold up against freezing temperatures and road salt. We really have to weigh the risk against the reward at this point."

CENTRIA offers a 20-year finish warranty on Eco Sound Barrier panels. Although the PA Turnpike project was the first time the technology was applied to a transportation project, CENTRIA has been using the same composite materials in structural building applications for more than 40 years. Rick Mowrey, director of marketing and business development for CENTRIA, says that these composite walls have been standing for 40 straight years or more in architectural applications without requiring any maintenance.