Residents pounded by noise

Construction on Winnipeg's rapid transit system has become a one-way ticket to a headache for nearby residents.

The ceaseless pounding of pilings into the ground as part of the construction of a sound wall in the area of Confusion Corner is deafening, say those who live and work in the area.

The noise-absorbing wall will eventually reduce the buzz from buses cruising along a rapid transit line that will eventually connect Winnipeg's downtown with the University of Manitoba.

"At the end of the day, when you work through it for eight hours, you do get a headache after awhile," said Curtis Gratton, an employee at a gas station near the construction scene.

The noise has been going on every day for the past few weeks.

"[It's] very loud. It echoes off our building and into our balcony," said Deanna Sidof, who lives across the street from the construction.

'We like to sleep in, like most people. But [we can't] when this is going on.' —Deanna Sidof

And there's no rest on the weekend, either. The noise goes on seven days a week, Sidof said.

Residents around the area started phoning the city when the pounding went through the weekend.

"We like to sleep in, like most people," Sidof said. "But [we can't] when this is going on."

The problem is not only affecting people who live within view of the construction, but also those several blocks away.

"I get up at 6:30 a.m., 6 a.m. and this was already going on at 6:15 a.m. [Monday]. So it's getting to be a little bit loud," said Steve Paucaud, who lives six blocks from where the piles are being pounded.

"I hear it through windows when they are closed."

The message from angry residents seems to have been heard loud and clear: The city said that as of this week it is restricting the pile driving from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

The $300-million rapid transit project is schedule to be completed in 2011.