A set of utility covers in the middle of Wilson Blvd that have bothered residents for nearly a decade may finally get a permanent fix.
For Alex Korolkoff, the banging noise from cars and buses driving over the covers is so loud — even on the 10th floor of his Ballston apartment building — he’s resorted to fans and white noise machines to drown it out.
Carlos Moran said the “constant heavy banging” coming from near the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Randolph Street, across from Ballston Quarter mall, “affect our quality of life” and prevent him from sleeping in his home.
Another nearby resident compares the situation to war.
”It feels as if we are being held hostage, like POWs, in our very own apartments, bound by our leases and forced to live with the continual banging,” they wrote ARLnow. The noise happens day and night given that the metal covers are along one of Ballston’s most highly-trafficked corridors.
The banging is particularly loud when bearing the brunt of buses and trucks, with the noise bouncing off Ballston’s high-rises.
“There’s such disruption that we deal with 24/7, while trying to work from home, we can’t sit on our small balcony without it being even louder, and sleeping is difficult,” one nearby neighbor wrote ARLnow. “The noise is truly endless because traffic never ceases.”
And it’s been a problem for nearly a decade. ARLnow first reported on the loose plates in 2013, when they were deemed a “temporary measure” and would be fixed soon. The covers were also listed as one of Arlington’s most wanted road repairs.
Nine years later, though, they are still there, loose, and driving some neighbors nuts.
The plates are the responsibility of nearby apartment building Ava Ballston, both Arlington County and the building’s parent company AvalonBay — which happens to have its headquarters across the street — confirmed to ARLnow. The flat sheets of metal are protecting Dominion Power equipment that help provides electricity to the building.
Over the years, ARLnow has received periodic emails from Ballston residents complaining about them.
One 2019 note speculated that the surrounding apartment complexes might have a hard time renting out units because of the noise. Another from October 2021 called the plates “steel drums.”
Another annoyed neighbor wrote in November 2021 that they put together a petition with more than 110 signatures of neighbors asking the county to do something to “right the wrong for a longstanding steel plate noise issue… it is distressing for those residents who need to rest, sleep, and work from home.”
ARLnow’s initial 2013 story was also spurred by an email from a reader.
“The noise within the apartments is now incredibly loud,” wrote a resident of the building that was then-called Archstone Ballston Square in March 2013. “This is a project that residents and the county were told would go on a few weeks — it’s [now] nearly 18 months later.”
Besides reaching out to us, residents and the county have also contacted Ava Ballston and AvalonBay to get the covers fixed.
That has resulted in welding and tightening, but no permanent fix.
“Our chief streets engineer has consulted with AvalonBay when there have been noise complaints about that stretch in Ballston,” Peter Golkin, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Environmental Services, tells ARLnow. “Welding and bolt tightening have helped in the past but traffic ultimately seems to take a toll on those repairs.”
After several days of reaching out to Ava Ballston ourselves, ARLnow finally got a response from AvalonBay corporate headquarters.
It seems that a permanent fix may finally be coming, but not until next year.
“We understand the frustration regarding the noise from the metal grates and are ready to start an interim fix in the next two [weeks],” AvalonBay spokesperson Kurt Conway told ARLnow. “At the same time, we are pursuing a more permanent solution that involves designing new vault lids. Because of the approval and procurement timelines involved, at this point, we anticipate a 2023 Q1 start for the more permanent solution.”
After years of complaints and noise, it can be understood that some don’t trust that the incessant banging may finally soon stop and go silent.
“I am extremely skeptical of this timeline considering there have been issues with it for almost 10 years,” Korolkoff said, after being told about the planned fix. “Seems like they keep kicking the can down the road.”
This week was slow at times, news-wise, but next week appears to be shaping up to be more active. Stay tuned for reporting on a number of important local topics….
The clang of carnival rides, the beaming smiles of children, and the sweet smell of fried food. Yep, the familiar sights, sounds and scents of the Arlington County Fair are…
Discover what rules to follow that are guaranteed to heighten your wine experience.
Open Houses includes a 3 BD/2 BA expanded home with an upgraded kitchen and hardwood floors.
Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma or anger? Are you ready to make a change?
Lauren K. Nickum, LCSW, CSAC from Peaceful Mind Solutions is now taking new clients for psychotherapy. Lauren has over 10 years of experience treating mental health disorders and general life stress in adults and adolescents. For more information visit peacefulmindsolutions.com.
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As the summer winds down, it’s a great time to look forward to a creative fall! Art House 7 has a terrific selection of classes, for preschoolers to adults. Our fall session, starting September 6, offers painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, ceramics (including the wheel) and sewing. We have specialty classes such as Suminagashi, the ancient art of Japanese water marbling.
If you’re looking for a shorter commitment, we also have a full schedule of workshops, Art Nights, and Morning Art Socials. If you haven’t discovered Art House 7, please check us out! We offer classes throughout the year, taught by a range of fantastic teachers. You can buy art supplies next door. We’re near the Lee Harrison shopping center, and free parking is outside our door.
Art House 7 5537 Langston Blvd.Arlington VA 22207 https://arthouseseven.com/
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Treat Yourself to Pupatella Pizzeria to honor Nathan Fleming and all kids fighting cancer on Wednesday, 24 August from 11:30AM-9PM!
–RSVP & See Detailed Instructions here: https://www.groupraise.com/events/230481
–Pupatella is donating back 20% of Dine-In, Takeout & Pick-Up Orders to Support
Have you ever considered purchasing a rental property but weren’t sure where to start? This free webinar will go over the basics of how to invest in real estate, how to choose rental properties, and a market overview. Our Director