Contributed photo
Otter Tail County has installed approximately 53 miles of new mumble strips that will warn motorists who are driving over the safety lines. The new strips are quieter to those who live near roads.

Otter Tail County Highway Department announces the installation of 53 miles of centerline mumble strips during the 2024 construction season.

“Residents may wonder why the county considered this project,” said County Engineer Krysten Foster, “The newer design is a different style, which is intended to be less annoying for adjacent property owners. This project is the first ‘mumble strip’ project in Otter Tail County.”

Before-and-after studies find that centerline rumble strips reduce life-changing crashes by as much as 51 percent. Further, a recent Local Road Research Board study found the details of mumble strips significantly reduce exterior noise compared to traditional rumble strips.

“Someone standing approximately 50 feet from a mumble strip can expect to hear ambient noise
that is comparable to background noise generated by a washing machine or a dishwasher,” said Foster.  

The highways selected for this year’s project were chosen through a risk assessment that analyzed the highway width and amount of traffic that uses each road. Work is expected to be complete by mid-August.

This investment is funded in part by a federal highway safety improvement program grant. For further details of Otter Tail County’s highway safety plan, visit the Highway Department webpage.