Needham Neighborhood Frustrated After Months Of Jack-Hammering

NEEDHAM (CBS) - You can hear the birds sing in Ann Charette's Needham home every morning until about 7:00 a.m. "That's when it starts, like clockwork, the jack-hammering," she says. "And it doesn't stop until four."

That jackhammer is actually a huge machine, chipping away at a massive rock outcropping that needs to be taken back, so the widening of Rt. 128 can continue.

The residents in that part of Needham understand that the roadwork brings headaches. It's been years now. But when the jackhammer started in February, it took the headaches to a new level.

But for some, time has eased the pain. "In the beginning, I couldn't believe it," says Chih Lee, "but now, I've almost grown used to it."

The jackhammer machine is massive, and motorists see it daily as they drive down Rt. 128 through the Needham stretch. And if there's light at the end of the tunnel for residents, the loudest part of the work should be done in another couple of months.

But then there's the issue of noise barriers that were originally proposed, but now might not be forthcoming.

"Years ago, the DOT said we'd all get sound barriers, but now, they're backing off," says Charette.