KEOKUK (WGEM) - Sherry Laughlin’s been cranking up the volume on her TV for the last two years, all to drown out the sound of cars streaking past her Keokuk home.

The wooden noise barrier that used to sit between Laughlin’s home and Highway 218 was destroyed during a 2023 derecho.

At times, noise from passing traffic has made it hard for Laughlin to host guests, and even to sleep.

Residents are not just concerned about noise, either, some fear for their neighbor’s safety.

Before crews began work to rebuild the wall, nothing but a few yards of grass stood between multiple homes and four lanes of traffic.

Fortunately, construction on a more solid concrete replacement started in August 2025. The $1.6 million project should be done in November — residents hope it will return a measure of

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