Airport Noise Update - Noise Study Contract Awarded

Members of the Arlington Community Concerned About Airplane Noise,

In this difficult time, Arlington County Government and the County Board are focusing our energy and attention on combatting the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community. We are, however, also continuing the work of government on other fronts. I am therefore pleased to inform you that, at long last, we have completed the procurement process for our joint study of aircraft noise created by air traffic at Reagan National Airport.

The County executed the contract with ABCx2, LLC on March 24, 2020. This study will identify, evaluate and propose important mitigations to reduce aviation noise impacts on Arlington residents, Montgomery residents and other communities north of the airport. The contractor’s work will begin shortly. Two subcontractors, Vianair and Grindal Nauen PLLP, will support the lead contractor. Vianair will work on airspace and flight procedure design and testing, and Lockridge Grindal Nauen will work on advocacy and community engagement.

We are working out the technology for a virtual town hall to formally kick-off the study and introduce the contractor and their team to the community. We will announce the date, time and details on how to attend this COVID-19-protocols-appropriate virtual town hall soon. I hope to see you there, virtually.

About the contract

RFP 20-042, “Consulting Services in Support of Study of Aircraft Noise Created by Reagan National Airport Air Traffic in Proximity to Arlington County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, and Recommendations for Mitigation,” is for a term of one year, with two additional option years available and a fixed price of $250,000. That cost will be split 50/50 by Arlington County and Montgomery County.

Finally, a quick reminder for those who have not yet registered a complaint with the FAA about the new HOLTB procedure. Please do so by March 30. Comments should be submitted to the following email address: 9-ATO-DCA-HOLTB-SID-Comments@faa.gov. Please copy us on the email at countyboard@arlingtonva.us. We are aware that the current crisis is significantly affecting air travel and, therefore, the noise experienced, which will skew the results of this comment period. We will be emphasizing that in our letter to the FAA in opposition to these changes.

You can also access the comment form on the FAA website at: URL: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_involvement/dca_p56. Click on the “Submit Your Comments” button on the FAA webpage. 

Thank you for your continued interest in aircraft noise issues. I hope this information is helpful to you and will continue to keep you apprised of any new developments in the issue.

Sincerely,

 

Libby Garvey

Chair, Arlington County Board