A vehicle illegally parked in front of the Rosslyn fire station led to a delayed response to a crash last night — the latest example of parking issues along one of Arlington’s busiest corridors.
Following a call about a crash with injuries shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Engine 110 notified dispatch that it could not leave the station at 1535 Wilson Blvd.
“We’re unable to respond due to being blocked by a vehicle,” the crew said.
About a minute later, the engine notified dispatch that “the driver showed up and took off,” allowing firefighters to continue with their response.
Capt. Nate Hiner, a spokesperson for the Arlington County Fire Department, told ARLnow that similar issues have “happened several times in the past.” The problem isn’t just vehicles parking illegally, but also vehicles “blocking the box” and preventing an engine from pulling out of the station.
“During an emergency where seconds count, those delays are not okay,” Hiner said.
He said ACFD has previously partnered with police and other county agencies on solutions. However, parking violations continue to present a significant problem in Arlington.
Earlier this month, for instance, one social media user posted photos of a truck ignoring newly installed bike lane protectors in Courthouse.
Conditions today 👎 https://t.co/fgPD8fc7Fq pic.twitter.com/PRKFS36lHJ
— ArlingtonInfrastructure (@Arl_Infra) December 10, 2024
ARLnow spotted tire marks on several curb stops around the site of the photos, in Courthouse near Ireland’s Four Courts on Wilson Blvd.
In 2023, the Arlington County Police Department issued 253 parking violations for vehicles obstructing bike lanes and, separately, 62 violations for vehicles parking in bike lanes, according to data provided to ARLnow.
Posts from @ArlingtonInfrastructure on X, formerly Twitter, have shown several of the curbs dislodged, apparently by errant vehicles. Responding to that, county spokesperson Claudia Pors said that physical dividers on Wilson Blvd were installed as part of street surface improvements starting last year.
“The newest ones may not have been bolted down yet, and the team will likely add bollards to increase visibility,” she said.
Pors encouraged people to report illegally parked vehicles through the transportation safety enforcement request form and damage to public property through the county’s Report-a-Problem tool.
The account associated with the social posts, however, argued that Arlington needs more enforcement of traffic violations as well as more loading zones for delivery trucks and cars delivering food.
“I hope curbside management gets the attention it deserves while the new county transportation plan is being drafted,” the anonymous account owner told ARLnow.
