A sound absorbing noise barrier panel has a precast reinforced concrete skin with a series of integral horizontal reinforcing ribs that provide a structurally strong panel that will resist wind loading and other requirements. The ribs form compartments on one surface of the panel skin which are filled with a sound absorbing material. A metal screen protective mesh is used to cover the compartments containing the sound absorbing material A decorative fabric is placed over the mesh and a protective decorative glass reinforced concrete lattice is used to finish the panel, resulting in a noise reduction coefficient of 0.95 to 1.0.